KARIMNAGAR: The future of ambitious Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP) flood flow canal, the SRSP in Pochampad in Nizamabad district and the proposed Yellampalli project (Sripada Sagar project) in Karimnagar district looks bleak what with the construction of an `illegal' project Babli and other projects on Godavari in the neighbouring Maharashtra.

The flood flow canal project was proposed in 1984 by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, while addressing a public meeting in Jangaon of Warangal district. It was assured then to the people of Telangana that they could utilise the surplus SRSP waters by constructing a flood flow canal, which would provide water for irrigation and drinking needs in the upland regions of Karimnagar, Warangal and Nalgonda districts. However, the foundation stone for the project was laid by the former Prime Minister, P.V Narasimha Rao, on June 30, 1993 to utilise surplus Godavari waters and irrigate about 2.2-lakh acres in three districts.

Cost escalation

Initially, the project was estimated to cost around Rs. 947 crores. But, due to the inordinate delay by successive Governments, the project cost escalated to Rs. 2,500 crores. So far only 29 km of the canal was completed from the SRSP project in Nizamabad to the bordering Karimnagar district in Metpally.

Officials' concern

Meanwhile, the irrigation officials feel that the flood flow canal and Yellampalli project will be a waste as the surplus flood waters from the SRSP were released into the Godavari only on seven or eight occasions and on majority occasions the project failed to receive water to its full capacity.

The construction of `illegal' projects by Maharashtra to siphon off Godavari waters by constructing reservoirs will barren and drain the SRSP forcing no inflows into the proposed flood flow canal and Yellampalli projects, they said. The projects by Maharashtra would result in the north Telangana districts getting affected badly as they are relying solely on SRSP project.

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