by V V Balakrishna
Hyderabad:
Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will meet his Karnataka counterpart Siddharamaiah in Bangalore on Monday with a request to the latter to increase the height of Tungabhadra dam by two feet so that the Rayalaseema will get sufficient water.
A memorandum has been prepared by AP irrigation department to that effect to be submitted to the Karnataka CM.
According to sources, Naidu will also request the Karnataka government to construct a parallel high level canal (HLC) to draw 20 to 25 tmc water from Tungabhadra in flood period.
Tungabhadra Project was constructed in 1953 at Mallapuram in Bellary district with a storage capacity of 132.471 tmc of water to provide irrigation facilities in Raichur and Bellary districts of Karnataka and Kurnool, Kadapa, Mahbubnagar and Anantapur districts of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.
Siltation and less utilization of water: As per the hydrographic surveys conducted during 2008, the storage capacity of the reservoir has come down to 100.855 tmc against original storage capacity of 132.471 tmc due to progressive siltation.
Accordingly, the annual utilisation of water is reduced considerably to 106 - 175 tmc against 212 tmc. Consequently, the prorata entitlement for various systems in erstwhile Andhra Pradesh has also reduced to 40 - 62 tmc. The prorata entitlement to TBPHLC system has also reduced to 16 - 27 tmc against allocation of 32.50 tmc.
The total length of RBHLC is 196.43 km. The initial length of 105.437 km runs in Karnataka and is under TB Board’s jurisdiction i.e., up to where it enters the Andhra Pradesh territory.
The RBHLC is designed with a capacity of 4,000 Cusecs at head and to deliver 2,575 Cusecs at AP Border so as to deliver 32.50 tmc to Andhra Pradesh under HLC System. However, RBHLC is not in a position to carry a discharge of more than 3,400 cusecs at its head and the maximum discharge at AP Border is 1,800 cusecs.
There is a shift to water intensive crops like paddy, sugarcane etc. as against less water intensive crops. Hence, there are forcible overdrawals at the distributary off-takes. This is causing short fall of indented water to the tail end reach i.e. AP border. There are number of cases of damages and forcible overdrawals having been lodged regularly with the local police and revenue authorities. So, there is a need to relocalise the ayacut in the upper part of the canals, the AP government felt.
In view of the practical difficulties faced, it is very clear that unless the RBHLC is modernised, it is not possible to draw the designed discharge of even 4,000 cusecs at head. As a result the allocated quantum of 32.500 tmc share of Andhra Pradesh cannot be realised, the AP contended.
AP contended that the modernisation of HLC in AP territory at cost of `463.5 crore would allow them to draw 42.5 tmc. So far, about 50 per cent work is completed and entire work is proposed to be completed by 2015-16.
Of the total length of RBLLC is 348.20 km and the initial length of 250.58 km is under TB Board’s jurisdiction.
Likewise, the modernisation of LLC in AP area with a cost of `179 crore would enable AP to draw more water.
Parallel High Level Canal: The average utilisation for the past 20 Years in HLC system is only 26.75 tmc against the allocation of 42.50 tmc (32.50 tmc + 10 tmc diversion of KC Canal quota) and hence, a parallel High Level Canal is proposed to draw water during flood time, the AP CM will inform his Karnataka counterpart.
This envisages realisation of 20 to 25 tmc of water in a period of 25 to 30 days when the reservoir is in surplus and the quantum is within the KWDT allocation.
The parallel canal proposed with a carrying capacity of 12,000 cusecs, will traverse approximately 200 km. The tentative cost of the scheme is about ` 4,500 crore.
However, consensus on taking up detailed feasibility study of the parallel canal could not be arrived at so far, even though it was under discussions in the Board meetings since December, 1997.
Raising the height of dam: It is proposed to raise the height of the dam by two feet so as to compensate the loss in storage due to siltation of the reservoir, Naidu will tell Karnataka CM.
Allocation of Water in TB Dam (in tmc)
State - Gross
Allocation - Evaporation
Losses - Net Allocation
Karnataka 151.49 12.50 138.99
AP 72.00 5.50 66.50
Telangana 6.51 6.51 -
Out of 66.50 tmc of net allocation for Andhra Pradesh, the allocation to various systems is:
TBP High Level Canal (HLC) 32.50 tmc
TBP Low Level Canal (LLC) 24.00 tmc
KC Canal 10.00 tmc
Showing posts with label irrigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label irrigation. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 November 2014
TS Drew 1.37 tmcft Excess Water: AP
by VV Balakrishna
Krishna Board urged to ensure compliance with its orders
Hyderabad: Alleging that the Telangana state has utilised 1.37 tmcft more than the allowable water as ordered by the Krishna River Management Board, the Andhra Pradesh government has written a letter to the board to ensure that Telangana complies with its orders in future.
The letter by the AP government comes at a time when truce seems to have been appeared between the two states over the issue of power generation at Srisailam.
The KRMB had ordered that Telangana state draw only 3 tmcft for generating power at Srisailam. But, according to the AP government, its neighbour drew 4.37 tmcft of Krishna river water.
"I request you to kindly ensure compliance of the orders of the KRMB to maintain adequate levels to enable irrigation requirements from Srisailam Reservoir for the rest of the Kharif season and drinking water requirements till June 2015," the AP government requested the KRMB chairman in the letter.
The letter recalled that the KRMB order on October 21 said that water release for power production, if any, from the existing storages should match the drinking water and irrigation requirements, and a
situation, wherein assured water to Rayalaseema can not be sent through gravity, should be averted.
The board, in its order on October 31, instructed the government of Telangana to restrict the water drawing for power generation up to 3 tmcft till November 2, AP recalled and informed the board that Telangana utilised 4.37 tmc.
"The present water level at Srisailam is 857 ft and AP can utilise 10.04 tmcft above the level of 854 feet (ie, MDDL and lowest commendable level of SRBC and KC Canal), the letter said.
"The AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 provides for precedence of drinking water needs and irrigation needs over power needs. In fact, the power generation at upstream reservoirs is incidental while meeting downstream drinking and irrigation requirements and, accordingly, the power generation has to be optimised."
Sources said the AP government took up the issue with KMRB to prove that TS violated its orders and to put the latter on the mat and the two states approach the board or any other platform, if any, in future.
The AP government informed the board that the actual drawing of water for power generation by Telangana subsequent to KRMB order is as follows:
Date tmcft
October 31 2.34
November 1 0.91
November 2 1.13
Total 4.37
Krishna Board urged to ensure compliance with its orders
Hyderabad: Alleging that the Telangana state has utilised 1.37 tmcft more than the allowable water as ordered by the Krishna River Management Board, the Andhra Pradesh government has written a letter to the board to ensure that Telangana complies with its orders in future.
The letter by the AP government comes at a time when truce seems to have been appeared between the two states over the issue of power generation at Srisailam.
The KRMB had ordered that Telangana state draw only 3 tmcft for generating power at Srisailam. But, according to the AP government, its neighbour drew 4.37 tmcft of Krishna river water.
"I request you to kindly ensure compliance of the orders of the KRMB to maintain adequate levels to enable irrigation requirements from Srisailam Reservoir for the rest of the Kharif season and drinking water requirements till June 2015," the AP government requested the KRMB chairman in the letter.
The letter recalled that the KRMB order on October 21 said that water release for power production, if any, from the existing storages should match the drinking water and irrigation requirements, and a
situation, wherein assured water to Rayalaseema can not be sent through gravity, should be averted.
The board, in its order on October 31, instructed the government of Telangana to restrict the water drawing for power generation up to 3 tmcft till November 2, AP recalled and informed the board that Telangana utilised 4.37 tmc.
"The present water level at Srisailam is 857 ft and AP can utilise 10.04 tmcft above the level of 854 feet (ie, MDDL and lowest commendable level of SRBC and KC Canal), the letter said.
"The AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 provides for precedence of drinking water needs and irrigation needs over power needs. In fact, the power generation at upstream reservoirs is incidental while meeting downstream drinking and irrigation requirements and, accordingly, the power generation has to be optimised."
Sources said the AP government took up the issue with KMRB to prove that TS violated its orders and to put the latter on the mat and the two states approach the board or any other platform, if any, in future.
The AP government informed the board that the actual drawing of water for power generation by Telangana subsequent to KRMB order is as follows:
Date tmcft
October 31 2.34
November 1 0.91
November 2 1.13
Total 4.37
Friday, 7 November 2014
TS Power generation benefiting AP
Express News Service
Hyderabad, November 6:
Truce between warring Telangana State and Andhra Pradesh over utilising Krishna river waters. The Telangana stopped power generation at Srisailam on November and started generating power at Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) left bank canal. Telangana generating power at NSP is music to the ears of Andhra Pradesh.
"We are getting irrigation water for Krishna delta, when Telangana released water from NSP after power generation," an official in Irrigation department in Andhra Pradesh said.
"We have no problems right now with TS. It is a truce between the two states," said the AP official.
He further added that the level at Srisailam was 857 feet and the AP was drawing water from Srisailam only for SRBC. No water required for KC Canal and Telugu Ganga from Srisailam, the official added. The drawl of water from Srisailam by AP was nominal now.
However, the row was temporarily subsided, such disputes may arise in future over sharing of water, as there are no operational guidelines and protocols, which are acceptable to both AP and TS.
The TS opposing the different kind of GOs issued by combined AP state and the present AP government is quoting the select GOs which serve its purpose.
According to official sources, Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) sent the draft operational guidelines to both AP and TS. The draft was under the examination of AP Irrigation Minister D Uma Maheswara Rao.
The KRMB in its recent order stated that it was brought to the notice of the Board that for the operation rules of Srisailam, the erstwhile AP government issued different GOs. In the opinion of Telangana State, these rules needed modifications due to bifurcation of the State. KRMB officials stated that for any updating of existing operation rules, careful study and analysis of data regarding crop water management, other water use etc has to be made in consultation of both the States, the Board stated.
As a prelude to finalise the fresh operational guidelines, the Board wanted principal secretaries of both the States to sit together and come to an understanding. The principal secretaries will meet and send their opinions on the draft to the Board. If there are any objections from either side, the KRMB would resolve them.
The officials of both the States may request the KRMB to define flood waters. Defining flood waters should be uniform for all the projects. Whether the level of the project would be taken or whether any other formula would be worked for deciding the flood waters remains to be seen.
ends
Hyderabad, November 6:
Truce between warring Telangana State and Andhra Pradesh over utilising Krishna river waters. The Telangana stopped power generation at Srisailam on November and started generating power at Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP) left bank canal. Telangana generating power at NSP is music to the ears of Andhra Pradesh.
"We are getting irrigation water for Krishna delta, when Telangana released water from NSP after power generation," an official in Irrigation department in Andhra Pradesh said.
"We have no problems right now with TS. It is a truce between the two states," said the AP official.
He further added that the level at Srisailam was 857 feet and the AP was drawing water from Srisailam only for SRBC. No water required for KC Canal and Telugu Ganga from Srisailam, the official added. The drawl of water from Srisailam by AP was nominal now.
However, the row was temporarily subsided, such disputes may arise in future over sharing of water, as there are no operational guidelines and protocols, which are acceptable to both AP and TS.
The TS opposing the different kind of GOs issued by combined AP state and the present AP government is quoting the select GOs which serve its purpose.
According to official sources, Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) sent the draft operational guidelines to both AP and TS. The draft was under the examination of AP Irrigation Minister D Uma Maheswara Rao.
The KRMB in its recent order stated that it was brought to the notice of the Board that for the operation rules of Srisailam, the erstwhile AP government issued different GOs. In the opinion of Telangana State, these rules needed modifications due to bifurcation of the State. KRMB officials stated that for any updating of existing operation rules, careful study and analysis of data regarding crop water management, other water use etc has to be made in consultation of both the States, the Board stated.
As a prelude to finalise the fresh operational guidelines, the Board wanted principal secretaries of both the States to sit together and come to an understanding. The principal secretaries will meet and send their opinions on the draft to the Board. If there are any objections from either side, the KRMB would resolve them.
The officials of both the States may request the KRMB to define flood waters. Defining flood waters should be uniform for all the projects. Whether the level of the project would be taken or whether any other formula would be worked for deciding the flood waters remains to be seen.
ends
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Irrigation department allays fears of post-division water shortage
So far,the participation of farmers in the United Andhra agitation was very less. To intensify the United AP movement, the Seemandhra JAC was motivating farmers and organised a "Rytu Mahagarjana" in Hanuman Junction in Krishna district on Wednesday.
The Seemandhra leaders were telling the farmers that the division of the state would render them water less for agriculture. However, some of the farmers in coastal districts were of the opinion that the division of the state would increase the prices of their agriculture lands. Even a teacher in Krishna district recently refused to participate in the APNGOs strike citing the reason that his land would fetch more money after the division of the state.
Now, the Seemandhra leaders were explaining the farmers that the division would really damage the entire agriculture sector in Seemandhra region, particularly in Rayalaseema, as farmers would not get water at all.
Contrary to this general apprehension from some Seemandhra leaders, the Irrigation department averred that there will be no problem in sharing river waters after the division of the state. This is because all the major projects in the state were constructed on allocated waters only. The water allocation was done on project-wise. So once the state was divided, there is no possibility of reducing or increasing the allocation to a particular project in a particular region.
Top officials of Irrigation Department gave a detailed note on water allocation to each project. Major Irrigation Minister Peddi Sudarshan Reddy furnished the same to the media. If at all there were disputes in sharing water in post division of the state, they could be resolved through boards on the lines of Tunga Bhadra Board, the Minister explained.
As far as utilisation of Godavari waters was governed by Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT), which comprises the settlements among the party states in the matter of sharing the waters among various states.
Of the 45,483.6 sq km catchment area of Godavari in the state, 36,012.9 sq km catchment area was in Telangana and 9,470.73 sq km catchment area was in Andhra region. Around 79.18 percent of catchment area of Godavari was in Telangana region and only 20.82 per cent was in Andhra region.
The water allocations made to various projects, which could not be changed after the division of the state, are as follows.
The water allocations:
Project Allocated water in tmc
KRISHNA RIVER
Assured water - 811.00 tmc
Surplus water - 227.50 tmc
ANDHRA REGION
Nagarjuna Sagar 174.3
Pulichintala 9.0
Krishna Delta 152.2
Srisailam (evaporation) 11.0
Guntur Channel 4.0
Vaikuntapuram 2.0
Muniyeru 3.3
Chennai Drinking water 1.67
Total assured: 367.34
Veligonda (surplus water) 43.50
RAYALASEEMA REGION
Tunga Bhadra LLC 29.50
Tunga Bhadra HLC 32.50
KC canal 31.90
SRBC 19.00
Srisailam (evaporation) 11.00
Bhairavanithippa 4.90
Gajuladinne 2.00
Chennai drinking water (surplus) 1.66
Total Assured : 144.70
Telugu Ganga (surplus) 29.00
Handri Neeva (surplus) 40.00
Galeru Nagari(surplus) 38.00
Total surplus 107.00
TELANGANA REGION
Jurala 17.84
Nagarjuna Sagar 105.70
RDS 15.90
Bhima LI 20.00
Koilsagar 3.90
Srisailam (evaporation) 11.00
Dindi 3.5
Musi 9.4
Paleru 4.0
Wyra 3.7
Kotipallivagu 2.0
Okachettivagu 1.9
Pakhal lake 2.6
Lankasagar 1.0
Chennai drinking water 1.67
Hyderabad water supply 5.70
Total Assured 298.96
Nettempadu LI (surplus) 22.00
Kalwakurthy LI (surplus) 25.00
AMRP (SLBC) (surplus) 30.00
Total surplus 77.00
GODAVARI RIVER:
Coastal Andhra 509.546 tmc
Telangana 912.251 tmc
Rayalaseema - nil
Evaporation losses in Hydro Electricity projects - 64.359
Total Godavari waters 1,486.156 tmc
Around 2,500 tmc Godavari water was going waste in sea every year
ends
Thursday, 27 December 2012
Transstroy May Be Blacklisted
High-power panel meeting tomorrow to decide the fate of Polavaram tenders
Hyderabad: Majority members of the high-power committee headed by chief secretary Minnie Mathew are against awarding the Polavaram irrigation project contract to Transstroy which submitted forged documents.
The committee is scheduled to meet at 5 pm on December 26 to decide the fate of Transstroy as well as of the entire tender process.
According to sources, Transstroy again submitted a letter issued by the Russian government, stating that its subsidiary, UES, had the experience of executing several projects in Russia. But top irrigation officials doubt the veracity of the fresh letter. "In an era of technology, one can even forge the letters of an embassy and its stamp," a top official of the department told Express.
The officials have decided, in principle, to forfeit the money paid by Transstory. "We have decided to forfeit `45-crore earnest money deposit (EMD) and also put Transstroy on the black-list," the officer said.
The next bidder in the line is Madhucon, belonging to TDP's Nama Nageswara Rao. Madhucon quoted a price `35 crore more than Trnasstroy.
"The final decision will be taken by the high-power committee," the sources said. The High Court's verdict on the Polavaram tender row is expected to be delivered on Wednesday.
President Pranab Mukherjee will arrive in the city at 3 pm on Wednesday. If his flight is delayed and the High Court has not delivered its judgment by then, the committee meeting will be postponed. The chief secretary is supposed to receive the President.
"We have to follow the tender rules. If Madhucon is eligible for award of the contract, political factors will not come in the way," the sources in the irrigation minister's office said.
blurb
The firm is also likely to lose Rs 45-cr EMD as the veracity of its fresh experience certificate issued by Russian govt is also in doubt
CWC Gives Green Signal to Pranahita-Chevella
Intro- Inter-state meet in Hyderabad on Jan 21 to discuss land acquisition in Maharashtra
Graphics
Timeline:
First inter-state agreement signed - 1975
CWC clearance in-principle - April, 2010.
DPR Submitted to CWC - October, 2010
Green signals so far: Central Soil Material Research Station (CSMRS), Construction Machinery Consultancy (CMC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Clearance awaited: Forest and environment depts ( in Maharashtra area), Planning, cost and utility
Project cost: `40,300 crore
USP: Irrigation to 16.4 lakh acres in Telangana region, drinking water to Hyderabad
by VV Balakrishna
Hyderabad: A major hurdle have been cleared for the Pranahita-Chevella irrigation project with the Central Water Commission (CWC) giving final hydrological clearance for it on Monday.
The CWC, which gave the hydrological clearance in-principle to the project in April, 2010, informed the state government about the final go-ahead.
"We got the CWC clearance. However, two more- from environment and forest departments- are awaited," major irrigation minister Peddi Sudarshan Reddy told Express on Monday.
A green signal was given by the Andhra Pradesh forest department pertaining to land. However, the same for the area in Maharashtra is still pending.
The state government will acquire some land in Maharashtra for the project which will be discussed at an inter-state meeting of engineers-in-chief on January 21 in Hyderabad. The state government is eyeing a major breakthrough at the meeting.
" With the project coming up, as many as 1,852 acres of land in Maharashtra will be submerged. The Maharashtra government is positive over the land acquisition and we hope to get the required clearances soon," the minister said.
Andhra Pradesh government signed the first inter-state agreement with Maharashtra on October 6, 1975 on three projects including the Pranahita-Chevella. The then chief ministers Jalagam Vengala Rao and SB Chavan were the signatories.
Recently, another agreement was signed between Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan on May 5, 2012 in New Delhi. As per the pact, both the states constituted an Inter-state Board, a Standing Committee and a Co-ordination Committee for effective monitoring of the lift irrigation project.
The `40,300-crore project is intended to divert 160 tmcft of water by constructing a barrage across Pranahita river, a major tributary of Godavari. It will ensure irrigation for 16.4 lakh acres of farm land in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts in Telangana region. Further, the project will utilise 20 tmcft of water from Godavari at Yellampally project.The project is expected to be completed by 2018.
Box-1
48 pc of Cost under
PM's Package Likely
Hyderabad: The state government is expecting that minimum 20 to 48 per cent of the poject cost will be coverred under the Prime Minister's package. Earlier, Bhima (Rajiv) lift irrigation scheme got 90 per cent funding from Prime Minister's package, said irrigation minister P Sudarshan Reddy. Recently irrigation officials held talks with the Union water ministry to grant a national project status for Pranahita-Chevella. In that case, the Centre will bear 90 percent of the poject cost.
Graphics
Timeline:
First inter-state agreement signed - 1975
CWC clearance in-principle - April, 2010.
DPR Submitted to CWC - October, 2010
Green signals so far: Central Soil Material Research Station (CSMRS), Construction Machinery Consultancy (CMC) and Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Clearance awaited: Forest and environment depts ( in Maharashtra area), Planning, cost and utility
Project cost: `40,300 crore
USP: Irrigation to 16.4 lakh acres in Telangana region, drinking water to Hyderabad
by VV Balakrishna
Hyderabad: A major hurdle have been cleared for the Pranahita-Chevella irrigation project with the Central Water Commission (CWC) giving final hydrological clearance for it on Monday.
The CWC, which gave the hydrological clearance in-principle to the project in April, 2010, informed the state government about the final go-ahead.
"We got the CWC clearance. However, two more- from environment and forest departments- are awaited," major irrigation minister Peddi Sudarshan Reddy told Express on Monday.
A green signal was given by the Andhra Pradesh forest department pertaining to land. However, the same for the area in Maharashtra is still pending.
The state government will acquire some land in Maharashtra for the project which will be discussed at an inter-state meeting of engineers-in-chief on January 21 in Hyderabad. The state government is eyeing a major breakthrough at the meeting.
" With the project coming up, as many as 1,852 acres of land in Maharashtra will be submerged. The Maharashtra government is positive over the land acquisition and we hope to get the required clearances soon," the minister said.
Andhra Pradesh government signed the first inter-state agreement with Maharashtra on October 6, 1975 on three projects including the Pranahita-Chevella. The then chief ministers Jalagam Vengala Rao and SB Chavan were the signatories.
Recently, another agreement was signed between Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan on May 5, 2012 in New Delhi. As per the pact, both the states constituted an Inter-state Board, a Standing Committee and a Co-ordination Committee for effective monitoring of the lift irrigation project.
The `40,300-crore project is intended to divert 160 tmcft of water by constructing a barrage across Pranahita river, a major tributary of Godavari. It will ensure irrigation for 16.4 lakh acres of farm land in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts in Telangana region. Further, the project will utilise 20 tmcft of water from Godavari at Yellampally project.The project is expected to be completed by 2018.
Box-1
48 pc of Cost under
PM's Package Likely
Hyderabad: The state government is expecting that minimum 20 to 48 per cent of the poject cost will be coverred under the Prime Minister's package. Earlier, Bhima (Rajiv) lift irrigation scheme got 90 per cent funding from Prime Minister's package, said irrigation minister P Sudarshan Reddy. Recently irrigation officials held talks with the Union water ministry to grant a national project status for Pranahita-Chevella. In that case, the Centre will bear 90 percent of the poject cost.
Sunday, 6 May 2012
Maharashtra deal inked for Pranahita-Chevella
Andhra Pradesh on Saturday took a quantum leap to mitigate people of perennially drought affected Telangana region, by signing an agreement with Maharashtra government for construction of BR Amedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi project.
The agreement was signed by principal secretaries of Irrigation SK Joshi (AP) and Eknath B Patil (Maharashtra) in the presence Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan at Sharam Shakti Bhavan in Delhi as Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal looked on.
The project would cost Rs 40,300 crore as per the latest estimate. It will help both the states to cater to the needs of both irrigation and drinking.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated AP government for the agreement. States should amicably solve the water problems, the Prime Minister said while appreciating Kiran Reddy government.
After the agreement was signed, an elated Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the agreement would secure all clearances for the project and also to get national project status.
"Prananita-Chevella will be the life line for Telangana. The agreement has been signed in national interest," the Chief The Chief Minister said. "We will complete the project as soon as possible," he added. He said submergence of lands was more in Maharashtra. If there was no agreement with Maharashtra, the matter would face legal hurdles which would delay the construction of the project.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the government was also working out to reach an agreement with Chhattisgarh and Orissa government on Polavaram projects. The States should solve water-related issues, he added.
As there was an agreement with Maharashtra now, it was easy to get national project status for Pranahita-Chevella. He said that 90 per cent funds of the project would be born by the Central, if it was conferred national project status. The Pranahita-Chevella was already in the Prime Minister's package and was eligible for 57 per cent funding from the Centre. "There is no dearth of funds for irrigation projects," Kiran Reddy added. He said that tenders were called for the project and some works were under progress. "We have already spent Rs 1,670 crore on the project," he added.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Chavan said: "Both states will benefit from the project and therefore both the states will work together for better utilisation of Godavari waters. We, together, will handle submergence issue". Chavan said that two districts in Maharashtra would get water under Pranahita-Chevella project.
BENEFITS:
The project envisages diversion of 160 tmcft water by constructing a barrage across River Pranahita, a major tributary to River Godavari. It further utilises 20 TMC of water from River Godavari at Sripada Yellampally Project. The project is intended to irrigate a command area of 16.40 lakh acres in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, and Nalgonda districts of drought prone areas in Telangana region.
Besides irrigation, the project also envisages provisions for drinking water, industrial requirements and drinking water to twin cities of Hyderabad. Of the 40 tmc meant for drinking water 30 tmc would be diverted to Hyderabad and the remaining 10 tmc for other towns and villages enroute to Hyderabad.
Water distribution:
* 124 tmc water to irrigate 16.40 lakh acres in seven districts in Telangana.
* 10 tmc for drinking water needs to the enroute villages and towns.
* 30 tmc for drinking water needs of GHMC.
* 16 tmc will be utilised for industrial needs.
District-wise ayacut in acres
Adilabad 1,56,500
Karimnagar 1,71,449
Nizamabad 3,04,500
Medak 5,19,152
Nalgonda 2,29,832
Ranga Reddy 2,46,704
Warangal 11,863
TOTAL 16,40,000
Clearances
In-principle clearance for submission of DPR has been accorded by the CWC in April 2010.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is submitted to the Central Water Commission in October 2010 and is under scrutiny in various directorates and their remarks are being attended.
It requires clearances from 12 directorates.
Clearances received so far:
Central Soil Material Research Station (CSMRS)
Construction Machinery Consultancy (CMC)
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
The agreement was signed by principal secretaries of Irrigation SK Joshi (AP) and Eknath B Patil (Maharashtra) in the presence Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and his Maharashtra counterpart Prithviraj Chavan at Sharam Shakti Bhavan in Delhi as Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal looked on.
The project would cost Rs 40,300 crore as per the latest estimate. It will help both the states to cater to the needs of both irrigation and drinking.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated AP government for the agreement. States should amicably solve the water problems, the Prime Minister said while appreciating Kiran Reddy government.
After the agreement was signed, an elated Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the agreement would secure all clearances for the project and also to get national project status.
"Prananita-Chevella will be the life line for Telangana. The agreement has been signed in national interest," the Chief The Chief Minister said. "We will complete the project as soon as possible," he added. He said submergence of lands was more in Maharashtra. If there was no agreement with Maharashtra, the matter would face legal hurdles which would delay the construction of the project.
Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the government was also working out to reach an agreement with Chhattisgarh and Orissa government on Polavaram projects. The States should solve water-related issues, he added.
As there was an agreement with Maharashtra now, it was easy to get national project status for Pranahita-Chevella. He said that 90 per cent funds of the project would be born by the Central, if it was conferred national project status. The Pranahita-Chevella was already in the Prime Minister's package and was eligible for 57 per cent funding from the Centre. "There is no dearth of funds for irrigation projects," Kiran Reddy added. He said that tenders were called for the project and some works were under progress. "We have already spent Rs 1,670 crore on the project," he added.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Chavan said: "Both states will benefit from the project and therefore both the states will work together for better utilisation of Godavari waters. We, together, will handle submergence issue". Chavan said that two districts in Maharashtra would get water under Pranahita-Chevella project.
BENEFITS:
The project envisages diversion of 160 tmcft water by constructing a barrage across River Pranahita, a major tributary to River Godavari. It further utilises 20 TMC of water from River Godavari at Sripada Yellampally Project. The project is intended to irrigate a command area of 16.40 lakh acres in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, and Nalgonda districts of drought prone areas in Telangana region.
Besides irrigation, the project also envisages provisions for drinking water, industrial requirements and drinking water to twin cities of Hyderabad. Of the 40 tmc meant for drinking water 30 tmc would be diverted to Hyderabad and the remaining 10 tmc for other towns and villages enroute to Hyderabad.
Water distribution:
* 124 tmc water to irrigate 16.40 lakh acres in seven districts in Telangana.
* 10 tmc for drinking water needs to the enroute villages and towns.
* 30 tmc for drinking water needs of GHMC.
* 16 tmc will be utilised for industrial needs.
District-wise ayacut in acres
Adilabad 1,56,500
Karimnagar 1,71,449
Nizamabad 3,04,500
Medak 5,19,152
Nalgonda 2,29,832
Ranga Reddy 2,46,704
Warangal 11,863
TOTAL 16,40,000
Clearances
In-principle clearance for submission of DPR has been accorded by the CWC in April 2010.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is submitted to the Central Water Commission in October 2010 and is under scrutiny in various directorates and their remarks are being attended.
It requires clearances from 12 directorates.
Clearances received so far:
Central Soil Material Research Station (CSMRS)
Construction Machinery Consultancy (CMC)
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Monday, 16 April 2012
Pact soon with Maharashtra on Pranahita-Chevella
VV Balakrishna
Last Updated : 17 Apr 2012 10:41:50 AM IST
HYDERABAD: A governmental team comprising ministers and officials will visit Mumbai soon to sign an agreement with the Maharashtra government on the Pranahita-Chevella major lift irrigation project. As both chief ministers were busy with Assembly sessions the agreement could not be signed so far, government sources said. “We will proceed to Maharashtra to sign the papers soon,” major irrigation minister Peddi Sudarshan Reddy has said.
The agreement will make things easier for Andhra Pradesh to get clearances from the central government, The Centre has accorded four of the eight clearances required for the project. According to sources, the state needs clearances from as many as 15 departments but could get clearances only from seven departments so far. Once all the clearances are obtained, the Centre may confer the national project status on Pranahita-Chevella.
The state government had prevailed upon the Maharashtra government to constitute an inter-state board for the project. Though the state cabinet hailed chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in January this year for his efforts to convince his Maharashtra counterpart, nothing could be put in black and white so far.
This was attributed to the budget session of the Assembly in both the states. Sources said Centre had already agreed to bear 57 per cent cost of the project. If the national project status is conferred, the Centre will bear 90 per cent of the cost.
While Pranahita-Chevella is in Telangana, Polavaram, another irrigation project, is in Andhra region. It is also in an advanced stage of getting clearances and the state is trying to get the national project status for both projects simultaneously. If Polavaram gets the national project status first, it will trigger widespread protests in Telangana. That is the reason why the government is trying its best to see that both the projects are declared as national projects at one go.
Water scenario:
The state’s share of dependable flows at 75 per cent dependability from the river systems is estimated as 2769 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet). This breaks up into 1480 TMC from the Godavari River system, 811 TMC (800 TMC + 11 TMC regeneration) from the Krishna, 98 TMC from the Pennar and the rest from other rivers.
The entire dependable water share of Krishna is fully harnessed through the construction of several reservoirs and barrages. The yield from Godavari has been utilised to an extent of 742.2 tmc only and the surplus flow aggregating to an average of 3000 tmc is flowing to the sea as unutilised.
The major irrigation projects SripadaSagar YellamPally, Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi, J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, Indira Sagar Polavaram and PV Narsimha Rao Kanthanpally Sujala Sravanti are being taken up to harness the Godavari water for Irrigation, drinking and power generation needs.
Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella
Sujala Sravanti Project
* To divert 160 tmcft of water by building a barrage across Pranahita, a major tributary to the Godavari, in Adilabad district
* To irrigate an ayacut of 16.40 lakh acres in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda districts
* To draw 20 tmcft water from Godavari at Sripada Yellampally reservoir
* To cost Rs 40,300 crore
* In-principle clearance received on April 16, 2010
* Project works divided into 7 links, 28 packages
* Agreements concluded for all 28 packages
* Target year for completion is 2018-19
Irrigation potential
* Adilabad: 1,56,500 acres, 306 villages, 19 mandals
* Karimnagar: 1,71,449 acres, 157 villages, 10 mandals
* Nizamabad: 3,04,500 acres, 275 villages, 19 mandals
* Medak: 5,19,152 acres, 539 villages, 22 mandals
* Nalgonda: 2,29,832 acres, 171 villages, 11 mandals
* Ranga Reddy: 2,46,704 acres, 283 villages, 14 mandals
* Warangal: 11,863 acres, 11 villages, 2 mandals.
Drinking water
* 10 tmcft to villages en route from Adilabad to Chevella
* 30 tmcft for Hyderabad
Industrial use
* 16 tmcft
Major projects on Godavari
* SripadaSagar, YellamPally
* Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanti
* J Chokka Rao Lift Irrigation Scheme, Devadula
* PV Narasimha Rao Sujala Sravanti, Kantanapally
* Indira Sagar, Polavaram
Last Updated : 17 Apr 2012 10:41:50 AM IST
HYDERABAD: A governmental team comprising ministers and officials will visit Mumbai soon to sign an agreement with the Maharashtra government on the Pranahita-Chevella major lift irrigation project. As both chief ministers were busy with Assembly sessions the agreement could not be signed so far, government sources said. “We will proceed to Maharashtra to sign the papers soon,” major irrigation minister Peddi Sudarshan Reddy has said.
The agreement will make things easier for Andhra Pradesh to get clearances from the central government, The Centre has accorded four of the eight clearances required for the project. According to sources, the state needs clearances from as many as 15 departments but could get clearances only from seven departments so far. Once all the clearances are obtained, the Centre may confer the national project status on Pranahita-Chevella.
The state government had prevailed upon the Maharashtra government to constitute an inter-state board for the project. Though the state cabinet hailed chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy in January this year for his efforts to convince his Maharashtra counterpart, nothing could be put in black and white so far.
This was attributed to the budget session of the Assembly in both the states. Sources said Centre had already agreed to bear 57 per cent cost of the project. If the national project status is conferred, the Centre will bear 90 per cent of the cost.
While Pranahita-Chevella is in Telangana, Polavaram, another irrigation project, is in Andhra region. It is also in an advanced stage of getting clearances and the state is trying to get the national project status for both projects simultaneously. If Polavaram gets the national project status first, it will trigger widespread protests in Telangana. That is the reason why the government is trying its best to see that both the projects are declared as national projects at one go.
Water scenario:
The state’s share of dependable flows at 75 per cent dependability from the river systems is estimated as 2769 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic Feet). This breaks up into 1480 TMC from the Godavari River system, 811 TMC (800 TMC + 11 TMC regeneration) from the Krishna, 98 TMC from the Pennar and the rest from other rivers.
The entire dependable water share of Krishna is fully harnessed through the construction of several reservoirs and barrages. The yield from Godavari has been utilised to an extent of 742.2 tmc only and the surplus flow aggregating to an average of 3000 tmc is flowing to the sea as unutilised.
The major irrigation projects SripadaSagar YellamPally, Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi, J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, Indira Sagar Polavaram and PV Narsimha Rao Kanthanpally Sujala Sravanti are being taken up to harness the Godavari water for Irrigation, drinking and power generation needs.
Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella
Sujala Sravanti Project
* To divert 160 tmcft of water by building a barrage across Pranahita, a major tributary to the Godavari, in Adilabad district
* To irrigate an ayacut of 16.40 lakh acres in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, Warangal, Ranga Reddy, Nalgonda districts
* To draw 20 tmcft water from Godavari at Sripada Yellampally reservoir
* To cost Rs 40,300 crore
* In-principle clearance received on April 16, 2010
* Project works divided into 7 links, 28 packages
* Agreements concluded for all 28 packages
* Target year for completion is 2018-19
Irrigation potential
* Adilabad: 1,56,500 acres, 306 villages, 19 mandals
* Karimnagar: 1,71,449 acres, 157 villages, 10 mandals
* Nizamabad: 3,04,500 acres, 275 villages, 19 mandals
* Medak: 5,19,152 acres, 539 villages, 22 mandals
* Nalgonda: 2,29,832 acres, 171 villages, 11 mandals
* Ranga Reddy: 2,46,704 acres, 283 villages, 14 mandals
* Warangal: 11,863 acres, 11 villages, 2 mandals.
Drinking water
* 10 tmcft to villages en route from Adilabad to Chevella
* 30 tmcft for Hyderabad
Industrial use
* 16 tmcft
Major projects on Godavari
* SripadaSagar, YellamPally
* Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanti
* J Chokka Rao Lift Irrigation Scheme, Devadula
* PV Narasimha Rao Sujala Sravanti, Kantanapally
* Indira Sagar, Polavaram
Sunday, 15 April 2012
Jurala farmers in the lurch as K'taka Refuses to Release Water
VV Balakrishna
Express News Service
Last Updated : 16 Apr 2012 10:21:25 AM IST
HYDERABAD: With the Karnataka government being indifferent to the water requirements of farmers under the Jurala Priayadarshini irrigation project in Mahbubnagar district, standing crops like paddy and groundnut raised in around 69,000 acres are about to wither away.
The inflows into the Jurala reservoir from the Narayanapur dam in Karnataka have come down drastically in the last two months.
The inflows were 2,800 cusecs in January, 764 in February, 792 in March and zero in April.
Though the state government requested the Karnataka government to release 5 tmcft of water from Narayanapur to Jurala, the government of the neighbouring state turned down the request. It is willing to release only 2 tmcft of water which will not be sufficient to save the stand crops.
As a result, farmers of paddy and groundnut are about to lose a produce worth Rs 100 crore this time. Such a situation under the Jurala ayacut was unprecedented, district leaders said.
Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy sent a letter to his Karnataka counterpart Sadananda Goud requesting him to release 5 tmcft of water to Jurala.
The letter was personally handed over by Jurala irrigation project superintending engineer to the Karnataka chief minister.
But the Karnataka chief minister expressed his inability to release water for agricultural needs. He informed Jurala officials that Karnataka could, at best, release 2 tmcft of water for drinking water needs but not for agricultural needs.
Leader of the opposition N Chandrababu Naidu wanted the Karnataka chief minister to release about 3 tmcft of water to Jurala.
The standing crops needed water for another 25 days.
Otherwise, they would dry up and cause heavy losses to farmers, Naidu said.
Union minister S Jaipal Reddy too requested the Karnataka government to release 5 tmcft of water but he too failed to convince the neighbouring state. Whether it was Rajolibanda diversion scheme or Jurala, the Mahbubnagar farmers have always been facing untold hardships due to the attitude of Karnataka.
The mistakes committed by Jurala officials such as not undertaking repairs to 62 radial crest gates compounded the woes of the farmers of the district. As the crest gates were damaged and could not be operated, around 5,000 cusecs of water has been flowing waste downstream for about two months.
Project officials realised in the third week of March that the water level at Jurala was going down. They placed sand bags near the crest gates to avoid further wastage of water.
But by then sufficient damage had been caused to farmers.
The water level at Jurala as on Sunday is 5.342 tmcft, just a trifle higher than the dead storage level of 5 tmcft. That means officials can use only 0.34 tmcft of water which is sufficient only for a few days.
The inflow into Jurala was nil on Sunday whereas the outlflow was 687 cusecs. The storage level at Narayanpur is 18.2 tmcft and inflow is 491 cusecs and outflow nil.
The water level at Narayanapur being treble the Jurala level and satisfactory, Jurala project officials requested Karnataka to release 5 tmcft of water. Normally, the water release for rabi crops under Narayanapur dam would flow into Jurala project.
When Karnataka released water from Narayanapur for rabi crops, some water would seep into the Jurala reservoir. Between 1,000 to 2,000 cusecs of water from Narayanapur would seep into Jurala daily in normal circumstances, which was sufficient for rabi crops under the Jurala ayacut.
According to sources, the seepage stopped this time as Karnataka farmers tapped even the seeping water throgh as many as 80 lift irrigation schemes.
This affected the interests of farmers under the Juralal project.
TDP MLA from Mahbubnagar district Ravula Chandrasekhara Reddy requested the Karnataka government to release water for another 25 days to save Jurala farmers.
TDP leaders met chief minister N Kiran Reddy recently and represented the plight of the farmers.
No seepage even
Between 1,000 to 2,000 cusecs of water from Narayanapur would seep into Jurala daily in normal circumstances, which was sufficient for rabi crops under the Jurala ayacut. Now there is seepage as Karnataka farmers tapped even the seeping water through 80 lift irrigation projects.
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