KC canal slowly turning into drain

​Kurnool: Kurnool-Cuddapah canal, which provided drinking and irrigation water for the people of both the districts of Kurnool and Kadapa, is now in a state of neglect filled with garbage.

With the delay in attending to the maintenance of the canal, plastic covers, food waste and other solid wastes are deposited in the canal which flows through the middle of the Kurnool town.

The KC canal project, a part of Tungabhadra sub-basin in the Krishna basin is a 130-year-old irrigation system in Andhra Pradesh.

A private Dutch company called Madras Irrigation & Canal Co Limited had constructed the canal system during 1863–1870 for providing navigation facility as well as supplying water for irrigation.

The canal takes off from right flank of Sunkesula anicut traverses via Kurnool and Kadapa towns and terminates near Krishnapuram in Kadapa district.

The project was taken over by British India government at a cost of Rs 3.02 crore in 1882. The Government of British India based on the suggestions made by Sir Arthur Cotton to increase the irrigation component.KK canal is the lifeline of drinking water to the parched Kurnool city, with a population of nearly 7 lakh.

Residents of Kurnool city have been making representations to the authorities to take up the cleaning up of the KK canal as it is the major source of water to the parched areas of the district.

In addition, it was also designed to irrigate about 2 lakh acres in Kurnool and Kadapa districts with 40 tmc ft of water allocated from the Krishna river.

It is alleged that irresponsible industries have polluted the canal with their waste being let out into it, besides the discharge from domestic and commercial houses.

With the indifferent attitude of departments concerned, the canal is left to become a source of spreading epidemic diseases.

Over 7 lakh populace living in the 52 wards of the Kurnool town have to put up with the badly kept canal. The worst affected are the residents of 100 colonies which are living along the banks of the KK canal.

The staff of the departments’ concerned, including the Kurnool Municipal Corporation has not taken up cleaning the canal. Empty soft drink cans, plastic covers and food waste are seen in the canal.

With no proper fence to prevent citizens from throwing trash in to the canal, the waste material in the canal is growing by the day.

According to an official of the Kurnool Municipal Corporation, the storm water and waste water drains are let into the KK canal at several places.

“We will take steps for cleaning up the canal in a couple of weeks. We need to create awareness among citizens to keep the canal clean,” he said.

KC canal engineering officials told The Hans India that they have no special funds to maintain cleanliness of the canal.

But in rural areas, the department used to clean these types of canals with the funds from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Schemes. “We will take steps to clean it with special permission of district collector,” said the official.

Shabbir, a resident of Dharmapeta, pointed out that residential waste is being released in to the canal and the hotels too are dumping waste on a regular basis.

In fact, some of the residents are using the canal bank for attending the nature’s call. “It is worse during rainy season as the sewage gets mixed with the canal water,” he said.

“The canal raises unbearable stink. It forces us to take cover in the temple premises,” said Padmalatha, a devotee, who visits Ganesh temple located on the banks of the canal.

Mastan Vali, a resident of Joharapuram colony said, “The situation near Joharapuram road is pathetic. The whole area emanates a foul smell, making living difficult.”