Nizamabad: Water was released from the Babli project in Maharashtra to Godavari near Dharmabad taluk headquarters on Tuesday. Following the directive of the Supreme Court, water was released in the presence of Central Water Commission (CWC) irrigation officials of Telangana and Maharashtra engineers.
Ten of the 14 gates were opened to release around 0.7 TMC of water. After a gap of eight months, Maharashtra irrigation officials released the water from Babli project which is expected to reach Sriramsagar project within 12 hours. Present water level in Sriramsagar project is 1067.50 feet and likely to go up to 1067.90 after receiving the water.
In a telephonic conversation from the Babli project site in Maharashtra, SRSP Godavari Valley Circle-I executive engineer B. Rama Rao said that Maharashtra irrigation officials will gradually open all 14 gates by Tuesday night which will be kept open until October 28.
CWC executive engineer Srinivas and Nanded division irrigation executive engineer Avasthe were also present at the Babli project site.
The water which was to be released on Monday midnight delayed as irrigation officials from Telangana reportedly hesitated to visit the controversial dam site expecting agitation by local farmers. Hence, the water was released in broad daylight on Tuesday amid tight security.
Revenue officials alerted people living along the banks of river Godavari of the release of water. Water level in Godavari is expected to rise in the temple town of Basar.
