IN FULL SWING: Work in progress on Pulichintala reservoir. - Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

Wadinepalli (Nalgonda dt.): The State Government has resolved to create ayacut under Pulichintala reservoir by impounding four tmcft of water from Munneru, a tributary of the Krishna that joins it 20 km downstream. This is in addition to the 45 tmcft already planned for stabilising the Krishna delta.

The decision follows the demand of farmers whose lands will be submerged under the reservoir. The aggrieved farmers have been pressing for a share in the water on the ground that they will not get any benefit from the project despite losing their lands. Pulichintala is originally conceived as a mere balancing reservoir.

A survey has been taken up to dig two canals additionally now - one to the left to cater to the needs of the affected people in Nalgonda district and the other to the right to flow into Guntur district. Superintending Engineer of the project P.V.K.N. Bapuji said this would lead to an inter-river link from Munneru to Pulichintala. A barrage would come up at Polampalli and a 35-km-long canal would divert waters from here into Puilchintala reservoir. A feasibility study to divert Palair too, another tributary coming from Khammam district, was also on.

The displaced families are happy at the new feature. Some of them, however, feel that the Krishna delta farmers, the main beneficiaries of Pulichintala, can even extend a helping hand to them. K. Nancharaiah at Nemalipuri said: "Krishna delta farmers are rich as theirs is a well-developed ayacut of over 300 years. They enjoy the benefit of sowing three times a year. When the Government was unsure about Pulichintala, they floated a fund to construct it themselves. The fund could be augmented with further contributions and a portion could be spent on our welfare."

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