Staff Reporter
VIJAYAWADA: Irrigation Engineer-in-Chief M.K. Rehman said that work on the modernisation of the irrigation systems in the Krishna and Godavari deltas would begin in the next season, that is, April 2008.
In an informal chat with reporters after deliberating for three days with irrigation officials of Guntur, Krishna and both the Godavari districts here on Saturday, Mr. Rehman said that tenders would be called for works in September and work would begin in April next.
Modernisation of the irrigation system involved replacement of structures that were more than 10 years old, strengthening of canal bunds and lining their beds.
The State Government sanctioned Rs. 1,500 crores for modernisation, but completion of the task would require Rs. 4,500 crores.
Funding
The Government planned to secure funding from financial institutions like the World Bank for completion of the project.
Though no new ayacut would be created on modernisation of the irrigation system water would reach tailend areas and transplantation would be timely, he said.
