Flood gates of the controversial Babli Project built across the Godavari in Nanded district of Maharashtra upstream the Sri Ram Sagar Project were shut in the presence of the authorities from Central Water Commission, Maharashtra and Telangana irrigation departments, on Sunday.
As per the directions of the Supreme Court the Babli gates should be kept open from July 1 to October 28 midnight to ensure the smooth flow of water in the river to the SRSP. At the time of lifting of Babli gates on June 30 last the water level in the SRSP was at 1055 ft with 9.300 tmcf of water being in the reservoir.
Since then about 69 tmcf flowed into the reservoir and 21.90 tmcf was discharged into the Kakatiya, Saraswathi and Laxmi canals. At present the water level in the project is at 1080 ft with 55 tmcft water. Given the quantity of water available in the reservoir farmers in the ayacut districts are hopeful of reaping a bumper harvest in the coming yasangi (rabi).
