HASSLE-FREE: Stop-lock beams being fixed to the vent at the KC canal barrage near Kurnool on Thursday. — Photo: U. Subramanyam

KURNOOL: Irrigation officials put an end to the two-year-old contentious issue by closing the construction vent in the KC canal barrage at Sunkesula-Rajoli near here on Thursday.

An irrigation team fixed the stop-lock gate to the vent and arrested the flow at 3 p.m. Instead of six beams to stop the flow completely, the team fixed only five, leaving a gap to enable discharge into the river.

Superintending Engineer Jalandhar said that some 160 cusecs was being discharged into the river to ensure flow to downstream people of Mahabubnagar district. When the flow in the river declines, gate no. 29 would be operated to discharge some 100 cusecs. There was no much resistance from farmers on the other side of the river as feared earlier.

A few farmers gathered there, but did not create any problem. On the other hand, a large number of farmers from Kurnool district gathered at the site in support of the irrigation team's decision.

Six-hour operation

The irrigation team led by Executive Engineers Krishna Rao (construction) and Amarnath (regulation) strived for six hours to close the vent, which discharged over 450 cusecs.

Revenue Divisional Officer from Gadwal Sudhakar visited the place and arranged for deployment of policemen in large number to avoid any confrontation as the issue created tension on several occasion in the past.

The issue also figured in the debate at Irrigation Development Board meetings of both districts several times.

Hyderabad Special Correspondent writes: TDP MLA Nagam Janardhan Reddy has written to Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah saying officials were going ahead with works on closing the vent at Sunkesula Barrage without blocking the construction sluice at the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme.

At a press conference, he recalled that during discussions with legislators of Mahbubnagar and Kurnool districts on the two works it had been brought to the notice of Mr. Lakshmaiah that both works needed to be taken up simultaneously while allowing a discharge of 150 cusecs to serve existing agricultural lifts and for drinking water needs.

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