New counterweights installed successfully

Advisor of the Mechanical Wing in the Water Resources Department, K Kannayya Naidu, has announced the successful installation of new counterweights on gates 67, 69, and 70 of the Prakasam Barrage, despite challenges posed by the weather and public cooperation. He explained that the counterweights, designed with steel and later filled with metal and concrete, weigh approximately 17 tons and have now been successfully installed. Naidu expressed satisfaction with his involvement in the repairs of both the Prakasam Barrage and the Tungabhadra dam gates.
The counterweights were designed by Hyderabad-based Beckham Infra within two days and then transported by road to Vijayawada. Under the supervision of Advisor Kannayya Naidu, Water Resources Department (WRD) officials used large cranes to install the counterweights. The department worked diligently over five days to complete the installation of all three counterweights. Following a request from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Advisor Kannayya Naidu visited the Prakasam Barrage on 3rd September and found three counterweights damaged. He reassured the public that there is no threat to the safety of the barrage. After the successful installation of the new counterweights, WRD engineers and several local citizens honoured Kannayya Naidu and his team on Monday.
Former Guntur ZP Chairman and senior BJP leader P Nagabhushanam also attended the programme at the Prakasam Barrage. In a statement to the media, Kannayya Naidu expressed his satisfaction with the repairs and confirmed that all three gates with damaged counterweights are now operational. He highlighted the replacement of the broken counterweight on gate no. 70, explaining that the department used a large crane to dismantle and replace it with a new one. Naidu credited the state government’s support for the successful repairs and installation.
Kannayya Naidu also voiced concerns over the damage caused by sand boats, which he believes led to a significant financial loss for the government. He speculated that the boats were intentionally released into the Krishna River during recent heavy floods, causing damage to the counterweights. He warned that those responsible for the damage would face consequences.
Emphasising the vital role of the Prakasam Barrage in sustaining the livelihoods of many people, Kannayya Naidu condemned the attempts to harm the structure. He reminded the public that the barrage provides irrigation water to approximately 13.07 lakh acres across various districts and warned that those who seek to damage it would experience scarcity in the future.
Meanwhile, in line with instructions from Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Kannayya Naidu said he would prepare a detailed report on the Prakasam Barrage.  He assured that the barrage, designed to discharge 11.90 lakh cusecs of floodwater, is secure but added that the Krishna River bunds need to be reinforced.