Irrigation Advisory Board Decides To Release Water Into Canals From Today
Irrigation Advisory Board clears phased water release from Sunday.
Kakinada: The Irrigation Advisory Board (IAB), which met in Rajamahendravaram on Saturday, has decided to release water into canals from Sunday in a phased manner for taking up agriculture operations and for drinking water purposes.
When the Water Resources department superintendent engineer G. Srinivasa Rao presented the proposal to release the water into canals at the meeting presided over by East Godavari district in-charge collector Y. Megha Swaroop, Anaparthi MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy suggested it would be better to release the water from June 15, as the canal maintenance and repair works have not yet been completed.
However, SE Srinivasa Rao maintained that canal works can go on even when the water is being released.
Tourism minister Kandula Durgesh intervened to say that due to prevailing weather conditions, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu feels that water should be released one month ahead on Sunday, May 31, instead of July 1. This would enable farmers to raise paddy for transplantation for an early harvest, keeping in mind the potential impact of EI Nino.
The minister asked officials to take proactive measures to ensure that farmers do not face any difficulties in irrigating their crops, as the Kharif season is about to commence. Durgesh advised farmers not to rely solely on rainfall but formulate plans to undertake early transplantation of crops. He maintained that contingency plans are in place in case any shortage of water is felt due to adverse conditions.
The minister thanked the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu for sanctioning Rs 147 crore to repair the 175 gates of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dowleswaram, and Rs 100 crore for protecting Godavari River from pollution.
BJP MLC Somu Veerraju said efforts are being made to get funds from central government’s Jal Shakthi Mission for the upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu.
Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary suggested that more responsibilities be handed over to water distributary committees for ensuring fair supply of irrigation water.
