Two significant events unfolded at Siddipet District on Saturday that are expected to change the drought-scarred face of Siddipet district forever.
Godavari water from Ranganayak Sagar was released to Komuravelli Mallanna Sagar tunnel and also to the main right and left distribution canals. Water from Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) was lifted to Ranganayak Sagar with the help of four pumps from the surge pool in a phased manner after a formal inauguration last week.
While Minister for Finance T Harish Rao formally released water to the distribution canals, the KLIS Engineer In Chief (Hyderabad) Bhukya Hari Ram released water to Mallanna Sagar by lifting the fourth gate of the tunnel marking yet another important milestone of the KLIS. With this, the lifting of water from Mallanna Sagar surge pool to Kondapochamma Sagar reservoir will be made possible via the 18 km long canal with pump houses at Akkaram and Markuk, in the weeks to come.
“It is a dream come true. I have to pinch myself to believe it. Generations of this region have waited to witness this event that unfolded in front of our eyes today,” an elated Harish Rao said after releasing water into the canals. He conveyed his gratitude to Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao and the KLIS engineers for bringing water from Godavari River to the highlands of Siddipet.
In all, the 3 TMC capacity Ranganayak Sagar is envisaged to irrigate 1,10,718 acres of land – 77,334 acres in Siddipet and 33,384 acres in Rajanna Sircilla. While the left canal will irrigate 70,698 acres, the right canal will ensure water for 40,020 acres. The canals cater to the needs of ayacut in Siddipet urban mandal (6,030 acres), rural mandal (1,350 acres), Chinnakodur (27,925 acres) ,Nangunoor (25,645 acres), Narayanpet (10,563 acres), Koheda (4,900 acres) and Cheryala (918 acres).
Similarly, 2279 acres in Mustabad mandal, 21,374 acres in Tangallapalli, and 9730 acres in Illentakunta of Rajanna Sircilla will be irrigated.
Mood Upbeat
The mood of the farmers in the region was upbeat as water to Ranganayak Sagar is assured round the year, thereby putting an end to frequent droughts. Farmers who used to spend a fortune on bores and transformers can now heave a sigh of relief as they are sure to receive water through canals, which translates into two crops every year at the minimum.
While water flows through right and left main canals, check dams, small tanks, minor rivulets can be filled during summer itself. Initially, 28 check dams under Siddipet Vagu and Sanigaram Cheruvu will be filled to the maximum level. All the check dams under Nakkavagu and Peddavagu will also be filled. However, farmers were advised to come forward to complete digging of minor and sub-minor canals to take the water to their respective farms.
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