Friday afternoon saw a steady stream of locals driving in all kinds of vehicles to this location, Priyadarshini Jurala Project, to feast their eyes on the swirling waters of river Krishna and feel the fine spray on their faces.
On the reservoir and on both sides of the project at a much lower altitude, people of all ages went on a selfie spree. It was surely an occasion to rejoice as for the first time since Telangana formation, 13 of the 67 crest gates were lifted.
The pressure of the inflows on the reservoir was so much that the outflows exceeded the volume. For Subbaiah, his wife Rama and their three children, driving down at least about 35 km on bad roads on a rickety two-wheeler was no trouble considering the delight that awaited them at the dam site.
So was the case with dozens of others. Seated comfortably on a green patch just beside the water and a little ahead of the Pushkar ghat were a conservative burkha-clad family eating goodies as part of what could best be described as high tea by the sea of swirling waters.
Some visitors contemplated to apply a day’s leave from their jobs on Saturday, as they were sure that as Friday came to an end, more gates would be lifted.
For many of them, the sight of the water marked a sentiment, a dream-come-true too, as the scene was a first after Telangana became the 29th and the youngest State of the Indian Republic.
