Work on to reduce Godavari water wastage in Andhra Pradesh- The New Indian Express

Categorical Information Service

VIJAYAWADA: The state Water Sources Division, which has centered on tapping surplus floodwater, is getting ready proposals to utilise Godavari floodwater, over 3,000 TMC of which matches into the ocean yearly. The mission has been tentatively named AP State Water Safety Growth Initiatives (APSWDP), beneath which three initiatives have been proposed, together with enhancement of the carrying capability of the Polavaram Irrigation Mission’s Proper Primary Canal (RMC) and a elevate scheme.

Between June 1 and September 4, a surplus of two,244.064 TMC of water was let into the ocean. The cumulative utilisation at Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage in Dowleswaram stood at a mere 70.88 TMC. Within the final water yr — June 1, 2019, to Might 31, 2020 — 3,797.46 TMC of surplus water went into the Bay of Bengal. The overall utilisation in the identical interval was simply 254.08 TMC. The state of affairs is analogous yearly, as per statistics accessible with the Water Sources Division.

Even with the Polavaram Irrigation Mission, which is anticipated to be prepared by the tip of subsequent yr, and could have a gross storage capability of 194 TMC (at +45.72 metres) and might divert extra water to north coastal Andhra and Krishna basin, it would solely be round 322 TMC, together with the share to different states. 

That is solely about 10 per cent of the excess let into the ocean. Therefore, the division has proposed the APSWDP with a multi-pronged technique to not solely faucet Godavari floodwater, but in addition guarantee water safety to the state by diverting it to different basins.

Sources informed TNIE that the APSWDP, one of many state’s 5 main new initiatives, contains three initiatives: Widening of dual tunnels of PIP connecting the RMC, enhancement of RMC’s carrying capability from 17,500 cusecs to 50,000 cusecs, and a elevate to attract 2 TMC of water under the minimal drawdown degree (MDDL).

“Proposals are being ready to utilise Godavari floodwater and divert it to different basins. One of many initiatives is enhancement of PIP RMC’s discharge capability by nearly 3 times. There may be one other proposal to create a parallel canal to the PIP RMC. That is nonetheless within the proposal stage, and the federal government will take a name based mostly on the financial feasibility,” a senior official defined. Although each widening the present canal and making a parallel canal want land acquisition, the previous appears to require much less land procurement, one other official stated.

Preliminary estimates pegged the price of APSWDP at Rs  12,702 crore, of which the enhancement of the RMC is estimated to value Rs  11,375 crore. The elevate is estimated to value round Rs  600 crore and widening of PIP’s twin tunnels might value Rs  727 crore.

Enhancement of PIP RMC was one of many proposals that had come up for dialogue within the conferences of the knowledgeable committee, shaped by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with an goal to collectively take up interlinking of Krishna and Godavari basins to share and utilise surplus Godavari water. Although just a few conferences have been held, and the 2 chief ministers mentioned the proposals, it has not materialised. 
A retired irrigation engineer, who is part of the committee that mentioned the joint mission proposed by each the states, stated enhancement of RMC would additionally assist in interlinking of Krishna and Godavari basins. 

“If the RMC’s capability is enhanced or a parallel canal is created, no less than 3-4 TMC of water may be diverted to Krishna basin per day through the flooding season. After assembly the Krishna delta’s requirement, the water might additional be lifted to Nagarjuna Sagar. A number of proposals have been already mentioned. So, in the event that they materialise, interlinking of the basins can be achieved,” the retired chief engineer famous.

Whereas a closing name can be taken by the state authorities on APSWDP after the proposals are prepared, the Water Sources Division has determined to kind a particular objective car for elevating funds for it. A yearly fund requirement projection has additionally been made for 4 years from 2020-21.