The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Jalayagnam projects in Mahabubnagar to generate Rs. 1,800 crore annually

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Jalayagnam projects in Mahabubnagar to generate Rs. 1,800 crore annually

M. Malleswara Rao

Mahabubnagar gets major share of Jalayagnam budget of Rs. 4,709 crore
70 tmcft of Krishna water will be diverted to the district through the four projects

HYDERABAD: The projects taken up in Mahabubnagar district under Jalayagnam as a long-term drought-proofing measure namely Kalwakurthy, Bhima, Nettampadu and Koilsagar Extension will generate wealth to the tune of Rs. 1,800 crore annually out of crops alone.

The figure is worked out by the Irrigation Department under a cost-benefit study on the basis of the plans finalised to provide water to 7.93 lakh acres under these projects, but restricting the benefit to one irrigated dry (ID) crop like sunflower yearly. The wealth will double if a second crop is allowed when surplus water is available in Srisailam and Jurala dams in a good year, the department claimed.

Among districts, Mahabubnagar has claimed a major share out of the Jalayagnam budget as a sum of Rs. 4,709 crore is pumped into these projects (their combined cost Rs. 6,935 crore) -- nearly 20 per cent of over Rs. 25,000 crore spent on projects in Telangana. These projects are expected to transform the face of the district agriculturally, socially and economically by providing irrigation to vast stretches of lands in 49 out of its 64 mandals. Alongside farming, the water supply will spur economic activity in a forsaken area and prevent migration of people from villages in search of gainful employment, asserts C. Muralidhar, chief engineer, Mahabubnagar.

Alamatti dam

People of the district had high hopes on Alamatti dam when it was originally proposed across the Krishna during Nizam's period with a proposal to excavate a canal to Mahabubnagar. This, however, is ruled out even after construction of Alamatti now despite the new Krishna Tribunal giving a green signal to Karnataka to raise the dam height. This is due to the strained inter-State ties over river water sharing.

The loss suffered, however, is being compensated now as over 70 tmcft of Krishna water will be diverted to the district through the four projects whose construction reached a semi-finished stage. Over 9.39 lakh people at 647 villages lying in the worst rain-shadow area prone to rainfall deficit will get drinking water from these projects. “The value of the projects in terms of supply for drinking purpose is immeasurable”, an official said. AP Transco has agreed to earmark 800 MW to supply power required to run the lifts of these projects.

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