HYDERABAD : A regulator will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 crores on Upputeru at the mouth of Kolleru to provide the much-needed `straight cut' for the lake's water to flow into the sea.

Also, the State Government will seek Rs. 600-crore loan from the World Bank and other external sources for rehabilitation of the lake to its old glory with the removal of encroachments, including aqua tanks, up to the 10-ft contour level. The programme will be implemented in three to four years.

T. Chatterjee, Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment, gave these details here on Friday even as the second phase of the `operation liberation' of Kolleru is set for being launched with the first phase coming to an end.

Outcome

The outcome of the operation so far is that water receded to some extent and the cropped area has surfaced over an extent of 30,000 acres out of the submerged extent of 1.5 lakh acres.

"There is a possibility of bringing 45,000 acres under cultivation for this rabi, but we will certainly cover at least 30,000 acres," he said while talking to The Hindu. He said the second phase of operation would be launched in two to three days.

He stated that construction of the regulator was compulsory for free flow of Kolleru into the sea since Enamadurru drain coming from West Godavari district, joined it at the mouth from one side thereby disturbing its course.

Mr. Chatterjee on Friday submitted a report on the ground realities of Kolleru to the group of Ministers headed by Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy.

The report, which is based on the feedback from MLAs, villagers and others, is stated to have recommended strict implementation of GO No. 120 issued in line with the High Court's directive.

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