HLC works moving at a snail’s pace

Anantapur: The nearly decade long Rs450 crore Tungabhadra HLC modernisation project launched in 2008 is unlikely to be completed by 2018 as planned, according to HLC Engineering department sources. The authorities say that the modernisation project is unlikely to be completed by 2018 as works are progressing on a snail's pace in several packages.

The canal works are likely to spill over to 2019 and the new government will have to take a call relating to the project. Funds paucity and the inefficiency of the contractors and the demands for reviewing of old rates agreed upon are contributing to the inordinate delay.

The farmers are losing faith and hope in the project as this is a project being executed on a non-priority basis by governments at the helm of affairs since 2008. The project is aimed at modernising the canal systems through which the allocated water for AP state to the tune of 32.5 tmcft was supposed to traverse a 100-km from Karnataka to reach AP border.

The modernisation works became necessary due to decline in water flows from the allocated 32.5 tmcft to 22 to 26 tmcftand also due to reduction in reservoir intake capacity from 132 tmcft to 100 tmcft at the Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka. The project was supposed to be completed in 57 months, but the time doubled and is likely to be stretched even beyond 2018.

The farmers say that due to lack of proper supervision work quality is also not up to the mark. They maintained that in all the 6 packages, not a single package works were completed. Only 50 of the 84 km long main canal has been completed. In packages 4 and 6, works are reportedly progressing at a snail's pace.

The bridges works’ at Yerraguntla, Untakallu, Neemakallu, Kottapalle and Rayanapalle too are making tardy progress. Of the 15 branch canals except 1 and 9, the rest are on the verge of completion.

The modernisation project involved strengthening of canal bunds and widening them, arresting seepage of water, de-silting of the canal and other related works. The modernisation project involves execution of six packages worth Rs 250 crore.

The project which was supposed to be completed in couple of years in 2010 dragged its feet to the present day. The project's HLC modernisation works will benefit the farmers in Karnataka, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool.

The works stopped half way is now restarted due to the old contractors of the project, who left the works half way agreeing to complete the works at the old rates of 2008 and beyond.

Works are in full swing under the supervision of the HLC engineering department despite demands cropping up from among a section of the ruling party functionaries that the old contracts and contractors should be dispensed with and new tenders should be called for.

Irrigation officials see no point in this demand as the old contractors agreed to complete the project at the approved old rates with no scope for cost escalation.

If the old contractors are dispensed withthen the project cost would escalate to Rs 1,100 crore from Rs 450 crore.Distributary works are on now on progress and 70 percent of lining works were completed.

The major benefit of the modernization works include an increased intake of inflows from 2800 cusecs to 4,200 cusecs. During floods due to canal widening it can contain more water and increases intake by another 4-5 tmcft of water apart from bringing down seepage losses by 20 percent.

In the past after the water is released from the Tungabhadra dam it used to take 3 days to arrive in AP whereas after modernisation the water would reach within 24 hours to AP side. The modernization of the canal would help in preventing seepage losses up to 10 tmcft of water which is very precious to a district like Anantapur.

By Ravi P Benjamin