Dindi project holds promise for fluoride-affected region

​Nalgonda: The Dindi Lift Irrigation scheme holds promise for helping combat widespread fluoride problem in the district.

The work on lift irrigation scheme is to begin after the completion of the survey for the reservoir and main canals. There were umpteen promises earlier, but they remained empty promises. This time, the TRS government is determined to complete the project within two years.

Plans are afoot to complete the project in two years which will facilitate the release of Krishna River water to the fluoride-affected villages in the district.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao laid the foundation stone for the project at Shivannagudem Charlagudem village in Marriguda mandal on June 12 last year with an aim to provide drinking water and irrigation facility to assembly constituencies of Devarakonda and Munugodu.

The officials have already acquired land under GO MS No 123 after the government released Rs 150 crore. The agreement for the construction of the reservoir at Charlagudem as part of the five reservoirs intended to be constructed for the lift irrigation scheme.

Member of Parliament Bura Narsaiah and MLA Kusukutla Prabhakar Reddy formally laid foundation stone for the construction of the reservoir at Charlagudem. Tenders were also confirmed for the 10 km approach canal.
The State government opened a circle office and Superintending Engineer and Executive Engineer offices at Charlagudem and two Deputy Collectors were appointed for land acquisition.

The survey of 25 km for the 92 km canal has already been carried out. The survey is intended to determine the depth of canal, soil testing, how much land was actually necessary among others.

The survey four more reservoirs—at Singarajupalli in Dindi mandal, Gottimukkala in Devarakonda mandal, Chintapalli and Kishtaraini palli—is also completed.

Tenders have already been called for the first phase of the project at a cost of Rs 3,102 crore out of the total cost of Rs 6,500 crore.

After holding discussions with various quarters, the Chief Minister saw to it that the project was redesigned to minimise the submersion of the villages. As per the new design, the two tmct water, drawn from Srisailam project, will be sent to Palamuru and Dindi reservoir through Narlapur reservoir.

Water from Narlapur reservoir will be lifted at the rate of 0.5 tmcft per day for 60 days to be used to fill the five reservoirs to be constructed in Devarakonda and Munugodu assembly constituencies.

The Chintapalli reservoir will irrigate 15,000 acres and Kishtarainipalli reservoir one lakh acres. Likewise, Shivannagudem Charlagudem reservoir will provide water for 1.55 lakh acres, Singarajupalli reservoir would provide irrigation to 13,000 acres and Gottimukkala reservoir will irrigate 28,000 acres.

Superintending Engineer of Dindi Lift Irrigation scheme, Venkatesham told The Hans India that there is no shortage of funds for the project which would be built in 3,700 acres would be completed in two years. He assured the farmers that justice would be done to them in land acquisition.

MP Bura Narsaiah Goud said the Chief Minister, who had personally witnessed the plight of fluoride victims, decided to put an end to the distress being caused to the people by constructing the project.

Once the project is completed the farmers would get yield worth Rs 3,000 crore every year. The displaced persons are demanding employment and double bedroom houses for them in addition to the compensation for their land.