Charging the State government with lacking foresight leading to a difficult-to-manage water supply situation for industry and domestic needs, Forum for Development of North Andhra has demanded immediate launching of a lift scheme on the Left Main Canal of Polavaram project.
Yeleru reservoir reached rock bottom and any diversion from Raiwada and Tandava was only a temporary measure, a delegation of the forum that submitted a memorandum to Collector N. Yuvaraj on Thursday said. The drying up of rivers like Tandava, Sarada and Varaha is adding to the woes.
The delegation comprising retired Chief Engineer, Irrigation, S. Satyanarayana, forum general secretary A. Aja Sarma and treasurer Ganesh, expressed the apprehension that unless immediate steps were taken to improve the situation the coming year could prove worse. Mr. Satyanarayana said permanent solution for the water needs of Visakhapatnam was diversion of the Godavari water through the Polavaram Left Main Canal. However, it would take eight to 10 years for the completion of the project if funds were provided. Keeping it in view, the then government had proposed Uttarandha Sujala Sravanthi and even foundation stone was laid at Sabbavaram. But it was shelved by the government later.
The delegation demanded immediate completion of the Left Main Canal and a lift on the canal at Purushottapatnam according it top priority on the lines of the one on RMC at Pattiseema. “If planned well, it can be completed in two years,” Mr. Satyanarayana said. A task force should be set up under the chairmanship of the Irrigation Minister, experts and officials, the delegation said.
