TS skirts blocks in rush for dam

Work is going at a rapid pace in Link-2 of the Kaleshwaram project and officials are aiming for a dry run towards the end of the year.

The aim is to start one pump each in Package 6 and 8 to ensure nearly 6,000 cusecs (more than 5 tmc ft) of water reaches Mid-Manair reservoir.

Link 2 involves Packages 6, 7 and 8 from Sripada Yellampally Project to Mid-Manair reservoir. Nearly 70 per cent of the work is complete.

The Kaleshwaram project is divided into seven links. Link-1 is from Medigadda barrage on the Godavari to Sripada Yellampally project. Link-2 is from Sripada Yellampally project to Mid Manair reservoir.

There are land acquisition issues in Link-4, from Mid-Manair to Konda Pochamma reservoir, and Link-6 from Mallannasagar to Singur reservoir. Hence officials are focusing on Links 1 and 2.

According to Mr Sridhar Deshpande, officer on special duty to the irrigation minister, the aim is to start operations in at least one pump each in Packages 6 and 8 by November-December.

“We are targeting completing Link-2 by JuneJuly 2018 to benefit farmers in three to four districts during the kharif season," he said.

Mr K. Penta Reddy, adviser for lift irrigation, said work had picked up pace after reengineering was done.

“Tunnelling in a few stretches started during the Congress regime but stopped. Momentum picked up after the TRS government revised the design to benefit farmers,” he said.