Somireddy Seeks Kandaleru Water for Bandepalli Ayacut
Himanshu Shukla said land acquisition for the Shyam Steel unit is being expedited and efforts are underway to train local youth for suitable employment in the industry. In this regard, he proposed a skill development centre funded by the company in the area.
Nellore: Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy has requested the state government to divert water directly from the Kandaleru reservoir to the Bandepalli ayacut, saying this would provide a permanent solution to the recurring irrigation water shortage faced by tail-end farmers.
The TD legislator sought the direct water supply during a Palle Veekshana programme held at Manubolu on Thursday under the leadership of Nellore district collector Himanshu Shukla.
As part of the programme, the collector, MLA, and senior officials inspected various government institutions, development works, and welfare programmes being implemented in the area while interacting with the residents.
Himanshu Shukla said the canal system carrying water from the Somasila and Sangam Barrage to Bandepalli extends over 120 km and serves more than 20,000 acres. However, farmers in upstream mandals consume much of the water, leaving the tail-end Bandepalli ayacut facing severe shortages.
Somireddy said directly linking the ayacut with the Kandaleru reservoir would substantially reduce the distance and time required for water to reach the fields in Bandepalli. He urged the collector and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to revive and expedite the Bandepalli pipeline project for which around Rs 40 crore had been sanctioned earlier for land acquisition and related works.
Further, the MLA sought a joint meeting of Shyam Steel representatives, revenue officials, and farmers to resolve the land acquisition and waterlogging issues linked to the proposed steel plant, which is expected to generate employment for the local youth.
Himanshu Shukla said land acquisition for the Shyam Steel unit is being expedited and efforts are underway to train local youth for suitable employment in the industry. In this regard, he proposed a skill development centre funded by the company in the area.
