Stage set for revival of SRSP

Warangal Urban: The State government has adopted three-pronged approach to ensure irrigation facility to one crore acres in 100 rural assembly segments, noted Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari.

Modernisation of projects already constructed, redesigning of pending projects and contemplating new projects were the part of the approach. As part of such strategy the government has taken up revival of Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP), he said.

The Chief Minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao, would launch modernisation works of SRSP at Pochampad near Balkonda in Nizamabad district on August 10. Administrative sanctions worth Rs 1,091 crore was given for the works, Kadiyam told presspersons in Hanamkonda on Tuesday.

It would ensure availability of 90 tmcft of water at the SRSP and keep it full throughout the year. Three tmcft water would be lifted from Godavari daily for 90 days at Kaleswaram. “Though project capacity is 112 tmcft, its current holding is 85 tmcft due to accumulation of silt,” Kadiyam said.

SRSP was supposed to irrigate 16 lakh acres and ensure drinking water needs of erstwhile Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nalgonda and Khammam districts in the state.

But due to silt accumulation and poor condition of the canal system, it was irrigating only five lakh acres, the Deputy CM added.

Now with its revival, the project could fulfill its objective by ensuring irrigation to 16 lakh acres through SRSP-I, SRSP-II and flood flow canal. Works to improve capacity of the canals and their strengthening would also be taken up, Kadiyam explained.

Likewise, a barrage on river Godavari would be coming up at Tupakulagudem in Etunagaram mandal to supplement Devadula Lift Irrigation Project and hold 22 tmcft water making water available round the year.

The Deputy Chief Minister further informed that the work tenders would soon be invited for the construction of reservoir at Malkapuram–Lingampally villages in Warangal district. The reservoir which could store 10.78 tmcft water would cost Rs 4,000 crore and addresses drinking water needs of Warangal city.

After launching the SRSP revival works at Pochampad, the Chief Minister would address a public meeting which would be attended by about five lakh public, Kadiyam said, appealed the farmers to attend the meeting in large numbers.

Opposition parties should welcome the initiative of the TRS government. Instead of irrational criticism, they should come up with constructive suggestions, he said.

TRS district president T Ravinder Rao, Mayor N Narender, MLAs A Ramesh and Ch Dharma Reddy, Civil Supplies Corporation Chairman P Sudharshan Reddy, KUDA Chairman M Yadava Reddy, GWMC Corporator Jorika Ramesh and others were present.