Jaladhara Initiative to Revive House Ganesh Tank
Officials are monitoring the works regularly for speedy completion
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government’s “Jaladhara–Jala Harathi” programme is set to revive neglected water bodies across Guntur district, with the long-neglected House Ganesh tank in Phirangipuram mandal selected for major restoration works.
District officials said the initiative aimed to rejuvenate more than 1,200 identified tanks and improve water storage capacity through village-level planning. Several tanks that had remained dry and unusable for years are expected to regain storage capacity and aid groundwater recharge and greenery enhancement.
The House Ganesh tank, categorised as a medium irrigation source, has suffered prolonged neglect despite receiving floodwaters from the Kondaveedu reserve forest area. Officials said the tank has a catchment area of 3.80 sq km, a bund length of 1,140 metres, irrigation canals extending between 2,300 and 2,500 metres, and a flood discharge capacity of 1,586 cusecs.
The tank has a storage capacity of 14.73 mcft, a water spread area of 109 acres and a registered ayacut of 192 acres.
Authorities identified urgent works including strengthening the eastern bund, repairing surplus water drainage structures, reviving the dilapidated sluice system, restoring the feeder channel and desilting the tank bed. The works, estimated at ₹76 lakh, have been sanctioned under the programme.
Guntur district collector C.M. Sai Kanth Varma launched the works on April 18. Officials said feeder channel restoration was being carried out on a war footing to ensure uninterrupted inflow from the catchment area.
The administration said the restoration would not only provide irrigation to the registered ayacut but also benefit additional agricultural lands. Officials are monitoring the works regularly for speedy completion.
Speaking on the occasion, the collector said every water resource in the district was being identified and restored to full capacity to improve groundwater levels and conserve every drop of water.
