Three lift irrigation schemes to come up on River Krishna

Vijayawada: The State government is going to construct three lift irrigation schemes on Krishna River between the downstream of Nagarjuna Sagar and upstream of Prakasam Barrage.

Recently, two lift irrigation schemes have been proposed at Muktyala in Krishna district and Varikisila in Guntur district. Already the foundation stone was laid for lift irrigation scheme at Harischandrapuram in Amaravati capital location as part of Godavari-Penna river linkage programme.

According to officials, the Water Resources department has finalised plan to construct lift irrigation scheme at Muktyala in Krishna district. Nearly 50,000 acres could be cultivated in West Krishna particularly in Jaggaiahpet, Nandigama and Tiruvuru constituencies under this project.

The Water Resources department has estimated the project cost at Rs 390 crore. As many as 5,000 cusecs could be lifted from Krishna river to supply water for mainly irrigation purpose.

Besides, another medium range lift irrigation scheme has been proposed at Varikisila in Guntur district near downstream of Nagarjuna Sagar. The estimates are being finalised and final Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be submitted soon to the government for inviting tenders.

The project would provide water to nearly 20,000 acres in Guntur district especially in the low rainfall areas. The project would provide drinking water facility to various villages. Meanwhile, the State government recently laid foundation stone at Harischandrapuram Lift Irrigation Scheme.