Kondaveeti Vaagu to be Amaravati Tank Bund

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Government proposes to develop Kondaveeti Vaagu as a tourist destination and could become the Tank Bund of Amaravati. The government is exploring various possibilities to tackle Kondaveeti Vaagu issue by taking plans from special consultants of the Netherlands along with a team of experts from AP irrigation department. Already the government has clarified that the Krishna river received 11 lakh cusecs as the highest record flood and then also capital area had not faced any problem except breach at Oleru near to Repalle town which occurred once during the last 100 years.

Kondaveeti Vaagu, a small stream, which starts from Pericherla Hills and joins in to the Krishna river after flowing 47 kilometres poses inundation threat on account of poor water management system of the past. The issue is at present pending before the National Green Tribuanl. According to the petitioners, there are apprehensions that nearly 13,500 acres are in the Kondaveeti Vaagu flood is prone to floods. Of this 8,000 acres come in the Amaravati capital location.

As per the irrigation department’s records, its major flood is 16,000 cusecs and ayacut in the surroundings of Neerukonda face inundation when flood occurs. It can be regulated easily but the 12-feet water storage at Prakasam barrage for NTTPS power generation needs is major setback. Kondaveeti Vaagu’s ground level is 9 feet at joining point of the Krishna river at Seethanagaram. It is difficult to shift the water from Kondaveeti Vaagu when the Krishna river water storing point is at Prakasam barrage. The mean sea levels of Kondaveeti Vaagu and Krishna river are almost same at 17.05 metres and 17.35 metres simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the Guntur channel is linked to Kondaveeti Vaagu. As per the canal designs, water is being pumped from Krishna to Kondaveeti Vaagu to Guntur channel. Diverting of Kondaveeti Vaagu water has become a difficult problem and even the flood quantity of 16,000 cusecs is considered to be meager. In this backdrop, the state government has appointed the Netherlands consultants for regulating the flood. Already the experts of irrigation department and CRDA officials have made several suggestions.

As per plans, four tanks should be constructed at Neerukonda, Lam villages and nearby areas with capacity of 6,000 cusecs. The tail pond should be constructed at Seethanagaram and water can be diverted to Guntur channel which is meant for drinking water purpose. Lifts can be setup at tail pond area Seethanagaram and water could be diverted to Krishna river without any worry says CRDA chief engineer Kasi Vishweshwara Rao.

Talking to The Hans India, Vishweshwara Rao said that flood water could be regulated and said that the experts committee of state irrigation and the Netherlands consultants are designing the plans. Guntur district irrigation department deputy executive engineer Sambasiva Rao said that Kondaveeti Vaagu general flood capacity is only 8,000 cusecs and 16,000 cusecs were registered as per 100 years record. It could be regulated, he added.

By Patibandla Srinivas