Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao visited Kaleshwaram project and made an aerial survey of the Godavari river, which now has water over a stretch of nearly 140 km of its course between Medigadda and Dharmapuri.
Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao flew in a helicopter over the river and visited various places along its 150-km course from Medigadda to Dharmapuri.
Senior bureaucrats, ministers Eatela Rajender, Errabelli Dayakar Rao, and officials from the Irrigation Department accompanied Chief Minister in the visit. This was the Chief Minister’s first visit in the monsoon season after he inaugurated the Kaleswaram project recently.
Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao interacted with the officials and took stock of the situation. The inflows into the project and the extent of land it would irrigate, among others. Nearly 80 % of water was meant for catering to drinking water needs of the state and rest 20 % to irrigate the land.
Offers flowers
At Medigadda barrage, the Chief Minister offered flowers and special puja to the river Godavari amidst the continued drizzle. The irrigation officials apprised him that 300 TMC of water was released from the Kaleswaram project so far.
KCR later left for Goliwada Pump House. After his visit to yagashala the locals submitted a representation to the Chief Minister and from there, he reached the temple town of Dharmapuri.
Divert water
The Kaleswaram project is being built at a cost of about ₹ 80,499 crore, the project will divert 180 TMC of water to irrigate 7.38 lakh hectares.
According to a press release, Mr Chandrashekhar Rao instructed the Irrigation Department officials to take measures to ensure the safety of the project in view of the fact that Pranahita was receiving a lakh of cusecs inflow of water. He was of the opinion that this year assured irrigation could be extended to some 45 lakh acres in two seasons.
He directed the officials to close the gates of the barrage and impound the water after the inflow from upper reaches starts decreasing. He congratulated the L&T and Irrigation department for finishing the Medigadda project work on time.