The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Canal modernisation works put on hold

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Monday, Jun 02, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Canal modernisation works put on hold

Staff Reporter

State’s promise to release Rs.300 crore for the purpose yet to take shape

Jaggampeta (East Godavari): Yeleru canal modernisation works are in doldrums as the State Government failed to allocate funds except a little amount for repairs. The canal which is a major source of irrigation in dry land areas of Kirlampudi, Jaggampeta and wet lands in Peddapuram and Pitapuram areas has been waiting for modernisation for long and the in the last four years.

Breaches

Heavy floods in last year October left the canal with more than 80 breaches in three mandals of Kirlampudi, Pitapuram and Peddapuram. For repairs to these breaches will costs at least Rs.3 crores and the Government has sanctioned only a little amount for temporary repairs like holding canal bunds with sand bags and other works. Jaggampeta MLA and DCC president Thota Narasimham said that he had tried his best to get budget allocation for Yeleru canal modernisation on a permanent basis. However, he was told by the Finance department and CM chamber that all the irrigation projects in the district would get separate allocations in interim allocations.

However, water association presidents and farmers are expressing their apprehensions about repairs to breaches and also alignment of Yeleru canal as no proposal was prepared by engineers of the Irrigation department, even the dalwa season is going to be completed within a month.

About 35,000 acres are dependent on Yeleru canal and permanent works should at least begin by March-end to face monsoon. Geddanapalli regulator, Rajupalem and Ramakrishnapuram breaches are major breaches among the 80 breaches that occurred last October.

On the other hand, 20,000 families who have lost their lands during the construction of the Yeleru reservoir during 1981 have not got their compensation even after 27 years.

The Government has acquired 70,000 acres in 11 villages and about thousand court cases are pending in different courts.

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Andhra Pradesh