HYDERABAD: A scheme has been formulated to modernise Penna delta with an investment of Rs.100 crores.

The Government is likely to issue orders anytime now to accord administrative sanction to the scheme which has been taken up following numerous representations by MLAs and farmers' organisations in Nellore and Kadapa districts.

Repairs to anicut

A big boon to Nellore area under the modernisation scheme will be the construction of a new barrage with a road-bridge, about 500 metres downstream of the Sangam Anicut. Similarly, repairs will be undertaken to the Nellore Anicut.

The scheme envisages renovation of the four big reservoirs supported by the Penna--Kanigiri, Sarvepalli, Allur and Kavali, which all are in a dilapidated condition and partially silted. The height of their bunds will be raised to increase the storage.

Canals' renovation

The network of canals functioning under these reservoirs, which are over 150 years old, will be renovated with various structures on them like culverts and bridges.

There are three projects on Penna river--Somasila whose backwaters extend into Kadapa district, Sangam and Nellore anicuts. According to a senior irrigation official, the modernisation, on completion, will increase the 2.75 lakh acre of Penna delta ayacut by at least five per cent.

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