The Telangana Government is keeping its options open on improving the efficiency of irrigation projects even after completing their redesigning/reengineering to a large extent already, even as it has speeded up the process of grounding works on the Kaleshwaram project at the earliest by issuing tender notification on one hand and continuing its efforts to convince Maharashtra on contentious issues on the other.
Sources in the department stated that the powers-that-be in the government had recently asked engineers to study the possibilities of bringing more water from the barrage planned at Tummidihatti in Adilabad district across the Pranahita river through gravity canal to the Yellampally reservoir. This, should it turn out to be feasible, would be an additional feeder of water to the redesigned project system beyond water lifted from Medigadda. It’s because of Maharashtra’s staunch opposition to the initially proposed height of Tummidihatti barrage at 152 meter full reservoir level (FRL) and other environmental and wildlife protection issues involved, the Telangana Government had redesigned Pranahita-Chevella project. Accordingly, the State Government had reduced the barrage height to 148 meters, for which Maharashtra had no objection and restricted the component only to serve about 2-lakh acres land in Adilabad district.
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However, the gravity channel from Tummidihatti to Yellampally has to pass a long distance of nearly 30 km through reserve forest area, for which clearances have to be secured from the Centre, including tunnels at a few places. “The government has not called tenders for Tummidihatti, even as it has initiated the process for Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages for the simple reason that redesigning the Tummidihatti component is not complete yet”, a senior engineer pointed out.
Pre-bidding meeting
Meanwhile, a pre-bid meeting was held on the three barrages of Kaleshwaram project on Tuesday with prospective bidders, where they were explained the qualifications needed to vie for tenders and plans of the government to get the works completed in 24 months from the date of awarding the contract.
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The estimated cost of the three barrages and pump-houses is Rs.13,811 crore.
Officials stated that technical bids for barrage works would be opened on June 2, price bids in the next four-five days. Similarly, the irrigation department is planning to hold the pre-bid meeting with contractors on the three pump-houses on May 27.
Technical bids for pump-house works would be opened on June 6 and price bids a week later.