Workers on the concrete apron downstream Prakasam Barrage had to scamper for safety when a person, said to be mentally ill, opened a couple of crest gates leading to release of water, on Tuesday. Construction equipment and heavy duty rollers working on the concrete apron downstream were submerged when the crest gates were lifted suddenly.
According to a complaint lodged by irrigation officials with the police, about 100 cusecs had gone waste before the gates could be closed again. Superintending Engineer Srinivasa Rao said electrical repairs were going on between 1 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. when the man, identified as D. Bangaru Babu of Guntur district, climbed on to the area where the motors for lifting the gates had been fixed. He reportedly switched on the motor for gate Number 58. When the Irrigation Department staff rushed to switch it off, Bangaru Babu switched on the motor for a second gate. Fortunately, those carrying out repairs were having lunch a little distance away. Workshop superintendent Mohan Rao said the main switch that provided power to all the motors was kept switched off when the irrigation employees were not around. This main switch was kept on Tuesday as repair work was in progress. All the workers present were with the contractors.
Safety concerns
No case was booked against the man as he is said to be mentally ill. The incident, has, however brought to the limelight the lack of security to the installation that has an ayacut of 13.5 lakh acres. Earlier, the Irrigation Department which had offices and quarters near the barrage was the sole custodian of the barrage, particularly the place where the motors were located. All these offices were razed during Krishna Pushkarams to facilitate landscaping.
