Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool   

Officials told to speed up Pulikanuma reservoir works

Photo: U. Subramanyam

MUCH-NEEDED:Pulikanuma canal near Yemmiganur in Kurnool district.

KURNOOL: Collector Ramsankar Naik on Saturday asked irrigation officials to speed up works on the Pulikanuma reservoir for the benefit of farmers.

Rs. 261.19-crore project

The Rs. 261.19-crore project is aimed at stabilising 26,000 acres in the tail-end areas of TB Low Level Canal.

The farmers in Peddakadubur, Kosigi, Nandavaram, Nandalur, Yemmiganur, Gonegandla, C. Belagal, Kodumur, and Kallur mandals will benefit from the additional supply from the Pulikanuma canal.

The canal is being designed to draw 1.32 tmcft of water from Tungabhadra river at Satanur and pump it from there to Pulikanuma near Pedda Tumbalam where a huge reservoir of the same capacity is under construction.

By gravity

Water flows by gravity from there to the Low Level Canal, six kilometres away, at a point known as 270th km.

Out of the Rs. 261 crore, a sum of Rs. 120 crore had been utilised so far. Bunds were being raised to a level of 23 meters by connecting three hillocks. Underscoring the need for early completion of the project, the Collector reviewed withe officials various bottle-necks including acquisition of 38 acre land which was pending.

Supply shrinking

The TB canal supply was shrinking year after year due to over utilisation in Karnataka areas by farmers. Apart from the ayacut, a large extent of unauthorised area was being irrigated with the LLC water.

To overcome the problem, the authorities planned the Pulikanuma to utilise the water that was getting wasted during the floods and pump it into the canal, 18 km away. The reservoir is expected to recharge groundwater, solve drinking water problem in scores of villages and supply water for crops.

Yemmiganur MLA Y. Chennakesava Reddy, who is a strong supporter of the project visited the site along with Collector.

Executive Engineer Rajanna who is supervising the construction explained to the Collector various aspects of the project and the progress.

The officials sought a longer time saying they will not be able to supply water for the kharif season.

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Officials told to speed up Pulikanuma reservoir works

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