Prakasam barrage works await attention

Following the developments, the irrigation officials have proposed beautification works of barrage including new lighting system. But the contractors have not completed the works while the barrage modernisation works have been completed only by to 47 per cent.

According to officials, the beautification of Prakasam barrage has been proposed after the city surroundings were selected for the new capital. The works like new high mast and colorful decoration lights and capital name boards are also in barrage beautification project. Besides, the tourism attractions such as boating and moon light dinner plans are also designed by the tourism department.

Moreover, other barrage attraction works are also designed as part of the project. All the works have been allotted to a contractor who is handling the modernisation project. However, the Prakasam barrage modernisation project has been completed only by 47 per cent. Actually, the officials of irrigation department have proposed the barrage modernisation works at a cost of Rs 205 crore.

The irrigation department engineers expert committee visited the barrage several times and submitted a report over the importance of barrage modernisation works. The continuous 12 feet water storage at Prakasam barrage turns a severe challenge to the barrage strength. The officials have started the repair works for crust gates after several faults were found by the irrigation technical committee.

The repair works have been initiated but are yet to be completed for another 20 more crust gates. Krishna irrigation department barrage engineer K. Ravi said that the works are under progress.

Meanwhile, the irrigation officials have proposed apron works at a cost of Rs 35 crore, but still those have not been initiated so far. Actually, barrage pillars strength depends upon the apron works. The strength of pillars is also not checked frequently. The pillars under water position was checked almost 12 years ago by constructing river cross bund to Krishna river.

Krishna district irrigation department superintending engineer C. Ramakrishna admitted that the barrage strength of pillars under water should be inspected once in three years.