Farmers demand release of water from Nagarjuna Sagar for rabi crop

GUNTUR: Farmers of Gantavaripalem, Potluru, Velpuru and other villages staged a two-hour road blockade demanding release of water from Nagarjuna Sagar right canal, on Kurnool-Guntur highway at Gantavaripalem in Savalyapuram mandal of Guntur district on Tuesday.The farmers staged a protest at Addanki branch canal, as a result hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the road at Gantavaripalem. The farmers said that chilli, tobacco, maize and other commercial crops were dying due to lack of rains and irrigation water.

“The government despite having sufficient water reserves in the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs, did not release water for irrigation purpose,” they said. They demanded that the government release water so that they can save the rabi crop. The local police contacted the Nagarjuna Sagar Project officials over phone, who assured them of releasing the water at the earliest. Following the assurances, the farmers called off their protest.

Nagarjuna Sagar Project SE S Venkata Ramana said as per the government directions, the farmers in Guntur and Prakasam districts can utilise the water for rabi crops. “The process of releasing water from Nagarjuna Sagar dam to Guntur and Prakasam districts has already begun. Earlier, 4,500 cusecs of water was released and now it has been increased to 6,000 cusecs,” an NSP official said.