Fishers want development of Upputeru

Akiveedu: Scores of fishers whose livelihood is directly linked to Upputeru have been eager to see its development. Upputeru carries drain water from 50 villages before it enters the sea witnessed no development for decades.

Upputeru enters the sea via Gollapalem under Bhimavaram mandal and covers 60 km from Akiveedu mandal. The significance of the Upputeru is key because of clearance of flood avoiding inundation of upstream areas in West Godavari district.

The stream used to release 20,000 cusecs into sea during floods in seventies. Its discharge capacity waned slowly over a period of time because of high tide and low tide.

The silt formation at discharge point prevented flow into the sea to the optimum level. As a result, many places in West Godavari upstream Upputeru faced inundation when it rains heavily.

The government took up silt clearing from 1982 to 1985. In spite of that the flow into sea did not exceed 15,000 cusecs.

Subsequently, a committee was constituted in 2009 recommended for setting up of regulator at 6/1 milestone. The panel was of the view that it would help fishers in Kolleru region.

However, when some experts expressed doubt that it would lead to sea water inundating crops in lower villages.

Another committee in 2011 suggested that construction of a regulator-cum-road bridge at 29/7 milestone would be beneficial to both the farmers and people in Krishna district.

After that, flow in Upputeru was straightened by avoiding turns. In spite of that, Kolleru people have been worried over fall in flow into the sea during floods.

Fishers have been asking the government to appoint a fresh committee to recommend for development of Upputeru to save their livelihood.