Expert roped in to retrieve boats at Prakasam Barrage

Minister for Water Resources, Nimmala Ramanaidu, has provided an update on the ongoing operation to remove sand boats stuck at the Prakasam Barrage gates on the river Krishna. During an inspection of the site on Thursday, the minister explained that a diving team had been deployed to cut the boats, but the rigid structure of the vessels had slowed the process.
He stated that one of the boats has been cut by 70 per cent, with an additional 10 metres still to be cut before it can be divided and removed. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made to expedite the extraction process. He praised the relentless work of Becham Infra and the scuba divers, although their initial attempts were not fully successful.
Minister Ramanaidu noted that the boats, each weighing over 120 tonnes, are too heavy to lift without first being cut into smaller pieces.
While Becham Infra and the divers have encountered difficulties, progress is now being made, with the divers working around the clock.
The minister further informed that the government has enlisted the expertise of Abbulu from Kakinada, who previously led the successful retrieval of a sunken boat in the Godavari River at Kachuluru. Abbulu and his team are set to assist in the current operation at Prakasam Barrage. “Abbulu and his team will soon arrive at the Prakasam Barrage to aid in the removal of the sand boats,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Minister Ramanaidu mentioned that local boats will also be used in the operation. The scuba divers, who have been working tirelessly for 24 hours to cut the boats into smaller pieces underwater, are now seeing positive results.
The Water Resources Department has developed four plans for the removal of the boats, with the latest plan, implemented by Sealyan company divers, focusing on cutting the vessels into manageable parts underwater.
Minister Ramanaidu reiterated that the government will continue to rely on the expertise of Abbulu and his team to ensure the successful removal of the remaining boats, highlighting his past success at Kachuluru.