Even as the recent rains have brought in inflows into reservoirs that cater to the city, a more lasting solution to the water supply situation is in the offing with the lifting of water into Yeleru reservoir.
In the second phase of Purushottapatnam Lift Scheme, the Irrigation Department plans to pump into Yeleru reservoir 1400 cusecs a day from October, it was learnt. This will enable flow by gravity.
A total of 12 TMC is proposed to be pumped in the second phase of the lift scheme during 100 flood days into the reservoir that has seen depleting inflows over the last few years.
The first phase of the ₹1600 crore lift scheme was inaugurated by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on August 15.
Of late, with the inflows into the reservoir getting reduced, water is not flowing by gravity into the Yeleru canal that runs up to the Kanithi Balancing Reservoir. The Visakhapatnam Industrial Water Supply Company (VIWSCO) had to resort to pumping of water from the reservoir into the canal from March 31 to August 31 this year. Last year the pumping started as early as January 26.
Now with the inflows improving and the level at 73.45 meters on Monday against the minimum of 72.54 meters pumping was done away with. Presently 100 cusecs is flowing by gravity.
In anticipation of the Purushottapatnam Lift Scheme becoming operational, VIWSCO had closed the Yeleru canal for a month from March 1 and took up repair works to the Yeleru canal spending ₹3 crore. As a result the carrying capacity is now around 350 cusecs.
“If the reservoir gets 1400 cusecs a day from October as planned the drawing of water can be increased up to 220 cusecs depending on requirement,” official sources said. At present 550 cusecs is being drawn from the reservoir to meet agricultural needs. With the first phase being operational, the irrigation needs will be met from the open channel.
With that availability of water from the reservoir to the city to meet its domestic and industrial needs increases.
