Rajahmundry: A trial run of the Pattiseema lift irrigation project on the Godavari to find out whether or not all 24 pumps and electric motors are functioning normally and can lift water from the river will be held on June 9 following inflow of water from the Sileru and other small streams after rain in the last few days. The water level in Godavari river touched 13.9 metres at Sir Arthur Cotton barrage on Monday and it is likely to cross the 14 metres level shortly. As it is mandatory to operate the lift irrigation project only when the water level touches 14 metres at the barrage, the water resources authorities are getting ready to test the functioning of all the 24 pumps and motors.
Soon after the completion of the lift project, the authorities conducted the hydro test to find out whether the pumps can sustain high pressure and any leaks to the pumps as water flows through them. However, the water resources authorities intend to conduct the trial run in full scale to test all motors at the project site of Pattisam village of Polavaram mandal in West Godavari district. For ea-ch turn, two motors will be operated. As the Polavaram Right Main Canal works are going at a brisk pace and are likely to be over in a week's time to make the canal through to facilitate diversion of Godavari water to Krishna delta area, the water resources authorities intend to set up some cross bun-ds as the lifted water through trail run may hamper the ongoing works.
The authorities maintain that they will keep the Pattiseema project ready after conducting the trial runs to be operated any time. They say that when the river receives good inflow of water and the water level touches 14 metres at barrage, they can lift the water from Godavari river and divert to Krishna delta provided there is a need for the water there. Pattiseema lift irrigation project chief engineer V.S. Ramesh Babu said, “We will conduct trial run on Pattiseema project as per schedule and in case of any minor issues are found, they will be addressed immediately to keep the project ready for operation as per demand.”
Meanwhile, the water resources authorities say that they shut the gates of the barrage as no supply of water is being taken up to Eastern, Central and Western Delta areas for cultivation of crops at present. Godavari river conservator P.V. Tirupati Rao said, “As the gates of the barrage are shut, water level is rising. The river is also witnessing inflow of water at present. As we don't need water to be supplied to canals for cultivation of crops, it can be tapped to conduct trial run or for any other purpose as the surplus water is being discharged into the sea.”
