In continuation of its efforts to modernise the more than century-old Gollapadu Channel in the town, the Khammam Municipal Corporation has drawn up a plan to give a new lease of life to the waterway.
It once served as a major irrigation source, but has now virtually turned into a dumping ground, at an estimated cost of ₹ 56 crore.
Modernisation of the channel has become imperative to clean up the waterway, which is clogged at many places spanning the core areas of the town.
There has been persistent demand from the residents living in the areas nearby the channel to completely remove the silt and garbage accumulated in the waterway to safeguard public health.
The large-scale encroachments on the periphery of the channel continue to pose hurdles to the grand plans of the civic body to modernise it.
The civic authorities had earlier initiated measures to remove silt from the channel and carry out repairs to the storm water drains as part of the modernisation programme.
In the special budget meeting of the civic body here on Tuesday, the officials concerned mooted a comprehensive plan to modernise the channel by enlisting the cooperation of the municipal corporators and earmarking adequate budget for the mega initiative.
