Purushottapatnam (East Godavari): The farmers of East Godavari district and few parts of Visakhapatnam district are going to get irrigation facility for 50,000 acres through `Pushkara' Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS) from this Kharif season, which begins around June second week. As per the present position, irrigation officials are trying to make a trial run of this prestigious Rs. 300-crore project by June 20 this year. About 90 percent of the 50-km canal's excavation works and 80 to 85 percent of different Head Works have been completed and the delivery cistern of Head Works has also got forest clearance.

Irrigation officials are working round the clock along with the contractors to reach the immediate target of giving water to 50,000 acres during this Kharif season and drinking water to 70 villages of nine mandals. Head Works, which is the heart of any project, are having sub-components of Pump House, Pressure Main, Hydro-Mechanical Works, Electro-Mechanical Works and Power Supply. The canal length is 50 km with 61 structures and distributaries having length of 360 km with 2,541 structures. The PLIS is divided into two portions and land acquisition process for distributaries is nearing completion. "In a month's time we hope to finish excavations," said Special Deputy Collector K. Sasidhar who is also sub-Collector of Rajahmundry.

"Pump House, Pressure Main, Delivery Cistern are going to complete within 20 days from now. We are hopeful of giving water to Kharif as well as drinking water," said Mr. Rammurthy, Superintendent Engineer of PLIS.

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