Collector Acknowledges Poor Condition Of Swarnamukhi Barrage
He underlined that the barrage, built in 2005, has suffered damage over the past two decades due to lack of regular upkeep, non-functioning flood management systems, and exposure to coastal weather.
Nellore:The condition of Swarnamukhi diversion barrage in Vakadu mandal is deteriorating with rusted equipment, weakened flood banks, and years of poor maintenance that threatens its stability, district collector Dr. S. Venkateshwar acknowledged on Thursday.
He visited the barrage along with Gudur sub-collector Raghavendra Meena, Irrigation superintendent engineer Radhakrishna and executive engineer Babu. He underlined that the barrage, built in 2005, has suffered damage over the past two decades due to lack of regular upkeep, non-functioning flood management systems, and exposure to coastal weather.
“Many iron components have rusted considerably, as they have not been lubricated or serviced regularly,” Dr. Venkateshwar underlined.
The barrage supports an ayacut of about 10,000 acres –9,500 acres in Vakadu mandal and 300 acres in Kota mandal – through 10 cascading tanks. Farmers under the command area are able to cultivate both kharif and rabi crops, thanks to the fertile soils and supplementary water from Telugu Ganga project.
However, farmers and irrigation engineers have raised concerns that flood banks have eroded at several points, weakening the structure of the barrage.
The collector said while ₹10–12 lakh is spent annually on routine maintenance of the Swarnamukhi barrage, at least ₹3 crore is required for major repairs. A proposal has been sent to the government and works are expected to be completed by next year.
Dr. Venkateshwar reassured farmers, saying necessary steps are being taken to safeguard the ayacut and protect their livelihoods through strengthening of the flood banks and restoration of the barrage.
