NIZAMABAD: The stage is set for the inauguration of rejuvenation of the Sriramsagar project scheme soon. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to inaugurate the scheme in Jagitial district between August 15-20.
The foundation stone was set for SRSP rejuvenation works at an estimated cost of `1,080 crore on August 10, 2017. The works were taken up on a war footing basis and had been completed for the lifting of half tmc of water per day. Aiming to supplement the SRSP ayacut and fill the reservoir, the state government had initiated steps for the rejuvenation works.
Linking the prestigious Kaleshwaram lift irrigation works with the rejuvenation scheme, three pump houses were constructed at Rampur, Rajeshwarraopet in Jagitial district and Mupkal in Nizamabad district respectively. With 6.5 MW capacity, eight pumps were constructed at each centre.
Reverse pumping of water is being taken up from Rampur to SRSP through existing flood flow canal.
This will benefit the farmers enroute to cultivate their crops and fill the irrigation tanks too. Interestingly, river Godavari water will be taken up from Yellampally to Rampur canal.
Reportedly, incomplete works above Rampur pump house has stopped the reverse pumping as of now. Actually, the state government had planned to inaugurate the works on August 10, which is the completion of two years period from the foundation stone ceremony, but in vain.
Meanwhile, SRSP rejuvenation scheme executive engineer Sudha Kiran said that they were ready for reverse pumping of half tmc of water per day. Instead of the proposed 1 tmc per day, presently with four motors at each pump house, they were ready to lift the half tmc water, he explained.
To fill the SRSP, the government had designed 60 tmc of water for 60 days, he said. Presently, half tmc water per day would be lifted through the flood flow canal, he added.
On the other hand, SRSP officials are unaware about rejuvenation works. There is no coordination between Kaleshwaram, rejuvenation and SRSP officials. “We don’t know about the progress of rejuvenation works so far,” a senior official said.
SRSP had reached 15.291 tmc storage on Saturday and the water was sufficient for drinking and kharif needs, he opined. “We are expecting inflows from upstream areas of Godavari from Maharashtra”, he added.
Minister for roads, buildings, transport and legislative affairs Vemula Prashanth Reddy is closely monitoring the SRSP rejuvenation works. He visited the pump house works frequently and directed engineers to complete the work at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the minister had said that the works was prestigious and would bring back the previous glory to the Sriramsagar project, which is located in Balkonda Assembly constituency.
