AP CM reviews progress on Polavaram

Dry spell hits Ananthapur, 18 mandals under stress

20,000 acres in Ananthapur to be irrigated in 5 days using MI tanks and rain guns

Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation project to be inaugurated on August 15

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the progress on all priority projects of the state, including Polavaram. The meeting began with a virtual inspection of Polavaramfollowed by a detailed examinationof the updates submitted by the officials.

This week, 3.22 lakh cubic metres of earth was excavated, and 15,629 cubic metres of concrete was laid for the spillway and stilling basin.

The proposal to construct a diaphragm wall, which was approved during the review meeting last week, has made some progress too. The completed length of the diaphragm is 551.6 metres and the balance length to be completed during this season is 115.4 metres.

Bridge for the Spill Channel

Italian firmStudio de Miranda Associati presented a design for a multi-span cable stayed bridge which will be completed in one year. This bridge is required to overpass the Spill Channel with minimum impact and flood control.

The Italian firm specialises in building and designing bridges and presented their past work in many countries, including Bulgaria, Italy, Iraq and Brazil.

The Chief Minister suggested that the viewing decks should be spaces for restaurants or a more interesting interactive experience so that it attracts tourists. He asked the firm to flesh out more details of the design, and make the features more unique. Giving an example of reflecting the qualities of River Godavari, he said that by the first week of August, they must come up with more creative ideas to make this bridge iconic.

Rainfall Forecast

An official from SHAR gave the Chief Minister a detailed forecast of rainfall in the state. He said that the state will see a light rainfall of 10mm to 30mm. A dry spell has almost set in areas in and around Ananthapur, and it will reach its peak on the 27th. However, from the 28th, light rainfall will return. Overall, until the first week of August, AP will undergo a dry week, unlike the last two weeks.

Officials also reported that 18 mandals in Ananthapur are under stress, due to less rainfall. While some have enough mobile irrigation tanks and ground water resources, some mandals are facing difficulties in accessing water. Officials were instructed to conduct field validation, and take necessary steps to ensure that the villagers can access water easily.

The Chief Minister ordered the officials to mobilise MI tanks and rain guns to provide water to at least 20,000 acres in the district. Minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao will visit Anantapur on Wednesday.

Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Project

The Chief Minister will inaugurate the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Project on August 15.

On being informed about a possible one-month delay in procuring the motors, he requested BHEL, the official supplier, to avoid any delay and provide the motors on time.

Muchumarri Project

The Chief Minister asked the officials and project incharge to work towards releasing water on August 1. The officials reported that 1 pump has been erected, and the remaining 2 pumps and motors will be fixed by the 29th of this month.