The Hindu : Officials told to ensure additional capacity in Somasila, Kandaleru

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 31, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Officials told to ensure additional capacity in Somasila, Kandaleru

By Our Staff Reporter

NELLORE MAY 30. The Information Minister, S. Chandramohan Reddy, has asked the officials/engineers concerned to ensure an additional storage of 35 tmcft of water capacity in Somasila and Kandaleru reservoirs, to provide water to an additional five lakh acres, keeping in view the necessities of farmers and the district.

The Minister, who made a review of the progress of works at the Kandaleru guest house, about 45 km from here on Friday, said the additional capacity was very crucial at this juncture. He pointed that while the total cost of Telugu Ganga project was Rs. 637 crores in 1983, it now rose to Rs. 3,100 crores and so far an amount of Rs. 1,570 crores had been spent on the project. In Nellore district, so far Rs. 300 crores had been spent on project works. The Minister stressed the need to undertake necessary repairs to 141 tanks for which Rs. 6.38 crores had been allotted and pleaded that the entire work should be completed before rainy season. As per an advanced action plan initiated by the Government for the year 2003-2004, there was a need to supply water to an additional 50,000 acres, Mr. Reddy said. Out of a budget of Rs. 100 crores for the project this year, Rs. 25 crores had been allotted for Nellore district, but there was need for another Rs. 30 crores to achieve the target of supply to additional acreage. It has been stated that 14 villages facing submersion threat will be evacuated within the next two months. Notification with regard to another 10 villages will be issued separately. The Minister urged the officials to provide basic necessities like power and water to the rehabilitated villages, on a priority basis. The road works in respect of Adurupalli to Penchalakona and Rapur to Penchalakona in Kandaleru limits should be completed by the end of June, to enable a storage of 30 tmcft of water.

Mr. Chandramohan Reddy pointed that as against the target of 53,561 acres of land acquisition under Telugu Ganga project, acquisition of 49,069 acres had been completed.

In the south feeder canal jurisdiction, works worth Rs. 3.40 crores were under progress, whereas tenders for additional works to a tune of Rs. 3 crores were called. Also proposals for Rs. 2.60 crores had been completed under which an extent of 508 acres were to be acquired. Under north feeder channel, Rs. 5.94 crores would be essential. However works worth Rs. 3.36 crores were under progress. Similarly under Kavali canal, works worth Rs. 5 crores had been taken up. The Minister also made detailed enquiries about the progress of branch canals. He reiterated the commitment of the Government to provide for maximum storage level in Somasila and Kandaleru projects. In the course of review meeting, several engineers complained about bottlenecks being created by the Forest Department in respect of certain clearances and the Minister instructed the Special Collector, Land Aquistion (TGP), to take up the matter with the concerned authorities. He laid stress on additional storage of water and land acquisition. Senior engineers of Somasila, Kandaleru besides Telugu Ganga Project from Nellore and Srikalahasti attended the meeting.

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