The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Drains: Japan bank's aid sought

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 04, 2006
ePaper

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Drains: Japan bank's aid sought

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Government has decided to seek a large quantum of assistance from the Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) to modernise drains and canals in Coastal Andhra.

A detailed project report (DPR) is being prepared for this massive Rs. 4,000 crores programme.

This was disclosed by Major Irrigation Minister P. Lakshmaiah here on Friday while reviewing the status of the numerous drains and canals in the delta with irrigation engineers in the light of the present floods.

Sources said the Government "is now turning to JBIC as loans taken from other external sources, including World Bank, reached a whopping sum of over Rs. 82,000 crores."

Wild growth

What forced the Government to think of a fresh modernisation was the failure of the drains to deplete the rainwater into the sea at expected level, causing stagnation in crops across the delta, apart from villages and towns. Their discharge capacity fell drastically due to landslips from the bunds and wild growth of water hyacinth and another weed, "kikkisa".

M. K. Rahaman, engineer-in-chief, Major Irrigation, said the seven major drains --Upputeru, Romperu, Nallamada, Repalle, Tenali, Thungabhadra and Gunderu-- are heavily choked now by this wild growth.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh