Agriculture in the backward Srikakulam district will now get a boost, with the Central Water Commission (CWC) approving the construction of a side-weir near Battili of Bhimini mandal in Srikakulam district. The move comes as a major relief to the government, which has been engaged in a dispute with Odisha for the last 50 years to gain its legitimate share of Vamsadhara water.
Once the side-weir is in place, more than 1 lakh acres in the district can be brought under irrigation. In December 2013, the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal had given a verdict favouring AP, but it put the onus of convincing the CWC of the technical aspects of the project on the State.
Senior irrigation officials from the Vamsadhara Circle could convince the authorities of the need for drawing 8 tmcft of water a year and store it in the Hiramandalam reservoir, which was constructed as part of Vamsadhara Phase-II. The side-weir now will enable AP to draw excess water during floods, but construction of a barrage alone will be a permanent solution to the dispute with Odisha.
Ch. Sivaram Prasad, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department (North Andhra projects), told The Hindu that the side-weir would be built within a year to ensure water supply to barren lands. “Funds are available, as the government has allocated around Rs. 350 crore for the North Andhra projects. Works will begin soon,” he added.
He said he had also discussed the progress of the Thotapalli project with Irrigation Department Superintendent Engineer Dola Tirumala Rao. “We want to provide water by June-July this year by completing the branch canals and distribution network. The land acquisition process is being taken up on a war footing with the cooperation of farmers,” Mr. Prasad added
Mr. Tirumala Rao said the Thotapalli project on Nagavali river would benefit as many as seven mandals in Srikakulam district and 12 mandals in Vizianagaram district. “It is the most economical project, as the government will have to spend only Rs. 38,000 per acre to provide water from this project,” he said.
CWC clears construction of side-weir on Vamsadhara project
