Modernisation of Godavari delta taken up only partially

Delay in sanction for ₹283.10 cr. the reason

Modernisation of the delta system in the East and West Godavari districts has not been completed this year also due to delay in the administrative approval. The Irrigation department, which has to take up the modernisation of the Eastern, Central and Western deltas, has failed to take up the work as administrative sanction for ₹283.10 crores was given in May. The irrigation officials have hardly one month time to take up the work, which is very short as they have to release water for the kharif season.

“We have taken up the pending work of last year along with the ongoing work as the administrative sanction came in May for ₹283.10 crores. This year, we can take up only 30 works with ₹29.75 crores for modernisation in the three delta systems,” said Rambabu, Superintending Engineer of the Irrigation department.

However, the contractors have been executing work for the last six months under the non-engineering, procurement and construction heads on the Kakinada-Pithapuram branch canal, Korangi, Pillanka near Yanam and the Mandapeta canals under the Eastern delta, Gannavaram, Banda canal, Razole, Sompeta canals in the Central, and Kakaraparru, Narasapur Bank and Attili canals in the Western delta.

During the recent review meeting, Minister for Irrigation Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said they had given administrative sanction for modernisation with ₹130 crores, but the work would be taken up in the next season due to monsoon and also the scheduled Kharif season.

The ayacut in the Godavari Central Delta in East Godavari district is 2.01 lakh acres. The Gowtami right bank, Vasishta left bank and the Vynetheyam left and right banks come under the Central delta spanning over 280 km, including the Polavaram Island. The existing ayacut is being irrigated through the Godavari Central Delta main canal, the Gannavaram canal, the Amalapuram canal and the Bank canal.

The drainage basins of Vasishta, Vynetheyam, Vrudha Gowthami and Gowthami fall under it.

Flood bank work

As far as the flood bank work is concerned, of the 280 km in the Central delta, flood banks up to 118 km have already been strengthened to meet the 1986, 2004 and 2011 flood standards.

The rest of the works including strengthening of the bunds, increasing levels, widening of bunds and laying of roads would be taken up after the next rabi season.

Under the modernisation of the irrigation system, drinking water and industrial needs for the next 25 years will be taken into account. Bridges, locks, sluices, retaining walls and other structures will be repaired or replaced at several places. The drainage system will be taken up in a separate package with ₹287.77 crore providing for 25% additional discharge to prevent inundation of the cultivating areas and save the standing crop.