State Water Resources Development Minister Dr Nimmala Ramanaidu announced that the maintenance work on numerous irrigation projects across the state is being accelerated. On Friday, the minister conducted a review meeting with the engineers of the Water Resources Department at the state secretariat to discuss precautions for managing irrigation projects during the rainy season.
Addressing the media, the minister emphasized the importance of monitoring the inflow and outflow of water, as well as maintaining the gates and locks of the projects, especially in the context of significant floodwaters entering the projects during the rainy season. He instructed officials to promptly remove silt and debris from the canals to ensure water reaches the tail-end areas under the projects. Additionally, he directed the preparation of necessary fund estimates for these activities.
The minister highlighted that the maintenance work is being executed urgently to maximize water storage during the rainy season and ensure adequate irrigation water for the Kharif season. Plans are also being developed to supply water to the Ayakat lands under the projects.
Dr. Ramanaidu criticized the previous government’s negligence, citing the breakdown of gates at Gundlakamma, Pulichintala, and Annamayya projects. He noted that while the Pulichintala project was supposed to store 30 to 40 TMC of water, only 0.5 TMC was stored due to these issues. This lack of adequate water reserves, along with neglect of the Pattiseema project, led to drinking water shortages in the Krishna Delta.
The minister mentioned that the Pattiseema project’s gates and bolts have deteriorated due to a lack of maintenance over the past four years. Out of the 24 pumps under the Pattiseema lift irrigation scheme.
15 are currently operational. He assured that within the next three to four days, 21 pumps are expected to be functional, and water from Pattiseema is likely to reach the Krishna Delta within the next two to three days.
