PNS|Vijayawada
In a bid to address the water scarcity problem in the Krishna Delta, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to utilise the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS) for the second time. The scheme will be used to transfer surplus water from the flooded River Godavari to cater to the water needs of the Krishna Delta region.
Ambati Rambabu, Water Resources Department Minister, announced this decision during a press conference held at the camp office in Vijayawada on Thursday.
He stated that due to the scarcity of water in the Krishna Delta and the excess flow in the river Godavari, the government saw it fit to reactivate the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The Minister said that the State government aims to store River Krishna water at the Pulichintala Project for future requirements. However, due to the lack of surplus water at the Pulichintala reservoir, they have chosen to redirect the excess water from Godavari through the Pattiseema project to the Krishna River.
Highlighting the significance of this move, Rambabu revealed that the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme had only been used once in the past four-and-a-half years. He explained that with lower storage levels in the upper reservoirs and the pressing water needs in the Krishna Delta, reactivating the Pattiseema LI Scheme is imperative to ensure adequate irrigation supply.
The Water Resources Department officials are now preparing to transfer the surplus water from the Godavari into the Polavaram Right Main Canal via the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme.
Furthermore, Minister Ambati also made an important announcement regarding the release of 5 TMC of water for the Nagarjuna Sagar Right canal from the Nagarjuna Sagar Project. This measure aims to address the drinking water needs of the region.
Expressing concern over the Polavaram Project, the Minister revealed that discussions are underway regarding the partial damage to the Polavaram Project diaphragm wall. The government is consulting irrigation experts to determine whether repair works are feasible or if constructing a new diaphragm wall in front of the existing one would be more viable.
Ambati assured that these discussions will soon reach a conclusion, and the final decision regarding repairs or a new diaphragm wall will be made at the state level. The matter will also be discussed at the Central Water Commission (CWC), Polavaram Project Authority (PPA), and the Dam Design Review Panel.
