The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Irrigation Advisory Board meet to discuss reopening of KC canal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Irrigation Advisory Board meet to discuss reopening of KC canal

By Our Staff Reporter

KURNOOL, AUG. 2. The Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB) meeting will be convened here on Tuesday. Important issues like closure of the vent in the Sunkesula barrage, reopening of the KC canal, supply of water to the second crop under KC canal, action plan under Telugu Ganga and SRBC are likely to figure at the meeting.

Irrigation officials hold that supply of water to farmers under KC canal is difficult if the vent in the barrage, which discharges 350 to 500 cusecs, remains open. The closure of the vent will facilitate storing of about one tmcft in the reservoir, which can be used to sustain supply to the canal despite fluctuations in river flow.

Objection from downstream people

Those living downstream, mainly from Mahabubnagar district are objecting to closure of the vent on the ground that there was no provision for release of 69 cusecs in the new structure, which existed in the old anicut.

Irrigation authorities admitted to the lapse but could not decide immediately how discharge of 69 cusecs could be ensured. After discussions with representatives of downstream farmers, the irrigation authorities decided to permanently provide a gap in Gate 30. However, it could not be implemented as the issue is linked to the dispute at RDS.

Also, the KC canal had been improved to draw 3,800 cusecs compared to the previous capacity of 2,600 cusecs. However, the bund could not be strengthened in some areas due to encroachments in Kurnool city. The meeting will also decide whether water would be released for one crop or two crops.

If supply is promised for two crops, 1.75 lakh acres will be irrigated during the kharif season and 1.12 lakh acres during the rabi season. If a single crop during late kharif season is promised, water supply is required for 2.65 lakh acres.

Last year, the irrigation authorities supplied water for 2.65 lakh irrigated dry crops ensuring two wettings.

The meeting will also discuss possibilities of supplying water to the ayacut under Telugu Ganga canal and SRBC. In the wake of uncertainty over levels in the Srisailam reservoir, predictions might not be possible at this stage.

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