KAKINADA: AP water resources department on Thursday released Godavari waters to canals for the Khariff crop. There are 8,000 cusecs of water available in the river. Of this, 2,000 cusecs have been released through canals to the central, eastern and western deltas.
BC welfare minister Ch. Srinivasa Venugopala Krishna, home minister Taneti Vanitha, East Godavari district collector K. Madhavi Latha, Rajanagaram MLA Jakkampudi Raja and Rajamahendravaram MP M. Bharat performed poojas at the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage before officials opened the gates.
Venugopala Krishna pointed out that with the release of water on June 1 last year, farmers could save their Khariff crop. He maintained that since Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has taken over as Chief Minister of AP, all reservoirs have been full. Farmers are happy, as there is no scarcity of water.
Taneti Vanitha said with the government releasing water, farmers can start their agricultural operations.
East Godavari district collector K. Madhavi Latha said a plan of action has been prepared for supplying seeds and other inputs to farmers. A coordination committee with officials of irrigation, agriculture and revenue departments will be implementing the plan in a timely manner.
Irrigation department chief engineer R. Satish Kumar and superintendent engineer G. Srinivasa Rao were among those present.
