A ₹23.34 crore water pumping project has been taken up at the Kandaleru reservoir here to supply water from this dam to Srikalahasti, Tirupati and Tirumala for meeting additional drinking water requirements in these temple towns.
Upland areas
Along the way, the canals carrying these waters will quench the thirst of the textile town of Venkatagiri and nearby villages as well. Considering the existing need in these places, water is being pumped from the reservoir into the Kandaleru Sai Ganga Canal which will cater to the needs of these four towns.
An earthen dam, Kandaleru reservoir was developed in the interior Rapur mandal limits here to meet the needs of local populations in the upland areas of Rapur, Venkatagiri, parts of Atmakur and Sangam areas.
As of now, Kandaleru dam has just 5.12 tmcft storage, as against the total capacity of 68 tmcft. Under the ongoing pumping project, the officials are installing 26 mega pumpsets with superior capacities with the objective of pumping 300 cusecs.
The project has been designed to pump nearly 2 tmcft of water.
Since the beginning, the Kandaleru dam has been playing a key role in balancing the water needs of the local populations.
It is from this dam that drinking water needs of Chennai are partially met every year.
Last season, the dam did not receive good inflows as there were not adequate rains in the upper catchment areas.
