ith the State government deciding to restore and improve the five important water bodies in tri-cities, the second phase of Mission Kakatiya is expected to be a boon to urban-dwellers.
The proposed desilation and beautification of Bhadrakali, Padmakshi, Rangasamudram, Somidi and Bandham tanks are expected to improve the groundwater level in the cities.
“In many localities, we are not able to dig a borewell as despite investing huge sum, there is no water available within 30 feet. The groundwater level has gone far down. As said by Minister T. Harish Rao, if they take up restoration of tanks in cities, there will be good result no doubt,” opined Prof. M. Vidyasagar Reddy of Balasamudram.
The State government is taking up the works at a cost of Rs.11.61 crore at Bhadrakali tank, Padmakshi tank, Rangasamudram, Somidi tank, Bandam tank which are the major water bodies in the tri-cities and are in a state of neglect. Over the decades silt got accumulated rendering them partially defunct and reducing their water holding capacity. Once disiltation works are completed, not only the water storage capacity will increase, but also the underground water level around the tank increases.
The works of Padmakshi tank and Bhadrakali tank have begun.
Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao inaugurated the works of Padmakshi tank recently.
Mr. Rao said apart from disiltation works, stairs to reach the water during Bathukamma festival and a platform to facilitate immersion of Ganesh idols during Vinayaka Chavithi will be built. Rs. 90.82 crore would be spent for works here.
The Bhadrakali lake is the biggest project in the tri-cities which is one of the summer storage tanks. Strengthening and beautification of bund of 6.5 km with an estimate of Rs. 3 crore is underway. The Bandham tank which is located between Hanamkonda and Kazipet is spread over in 100 acres. An amount of Rs. 2.9 cr was sanctioned to build a 1.5 km bund. Desiltation and beautification of Rangasamudram tank on Hunter Road and Somidi tank in Kazipet would be taken up on similar lines.
Mayor N. Narender told The Hindu that another 46 such tanks in the GWMC limits were included in the second phase of mission Kakatiya. Once these works were completed the groundwater table is expected to increase in the tri-cities.
Over the decades, silt has accumulated rendering the tanks partially defunct and reduced their water holding capacity
