The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Mini hydel project design to be modified

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 24, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Mini hydel project design to be modified

By Our Correspondent

MAHABUBNAGAR, MARCH 23. Following the hue and cry raised by opposition parties and even allies of the Congress over construction of a mini hydel project at the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) head works, the management of Sri Swarna Energy Ltd has offered to undertake modifications to the design to protect the interests of RDS farmers.

The company's Managing Director, Y.V. Subba Reddy, and the Director, Sunil Reddy, recently apprised a team of Congress and TRS MLAs about the proposed modifications. They have proposed construction of another tunnel from the ending point of the open channel meant to draw water from RDS reservoir for the power plant to RDS ayacut. The length of the proposed additional tunnel would be around 200 metres, according to the company management.

There were objections to the tunnel being constructed beneath the RDS main canal at a depth of 3.5 metres.

Responding to the agitations of the RDS ayacutdars, all political parties rushed teams to the head works and supported the demand of the farmers. The opposition parties raised the matter in the ongoing Assembly and Parliament sessions.

Expert panel

Following this the State Government has constituted a five-member expert committee.

The modification ensures 850 cusecs of water to the RDS main canal from the water drawn by the open channel before it goes to power generation.

Meanwhile, the RDS ayacutdars welcomed the proposal of constructing another tunnel but with some reservations.

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