The modernisation works of Nagarjuna Sagar left bank canal are going at brisk pace, according to a report submitted to Minister for Irrigation T Harish Rao by CADA (Command Area Development Authority) Commissioner Dr Malsur and Sagar Chief Engineer Sunil on Friday. The report said 90 per cent of works have been completed with regard to left bank canal. Harish Rao directed the officials to complete the remaining works on war-footing.

It may be recalled that the Irrigation Minister is concentrating on the new irrigation projects along with modernisation of ongoing projects like Sriram Sagar and Nagarjuna Sagar canals. Harish Rao had inspected the left canal till the end from the Nagarjuna Sagar dam along with ministers Jagadish Reddy and Tummala Nageswara Rao. He conducted a complete study on canal lining works, breaches and lift schemes.

He instructed the officials to remove the trees, mud dumps, gravel heaps and other unwanted material in the canals to ensure free flow of water. After having complete grip over the existing canal situation, Harish Rao suggested measures to speed up the canal works. Chief Engineer Sunil said 60 per cent of work has been completed only after the visit of the Minister. He said the government is spending Rs 1611 crore for modernising left bank canal and Rs 634 crore was spent before June, 2014.

After Telangana State is formed, the government had spent Rs 732 crore to hasten the canal works. The total Sagar canal works have been divided into 10 packages, of which 5, 6 and 15 packages have been completed. About 90 per cent of works have been finished in the packages 1, 16 and 17, while 70-95 per cent works have been completed in 2, 3 and 4 packages. The Chief Engineer said repair works were also going on in 25 distribution canals of the Sagar left bank canal.

Four packages have been completed and six packages are final stage of completion, while 70 per cent of works have been completed in another 9 packages. With regard to distribution canals, 80 per cent of works have been completed and another 9 packages which were under the control of water cooperative societies, have been completed. Other packages are at various stages that include 80 per cent in 21 packages, 70 per cent in 20 packages and 60 per cent in another 10 packages.

Minister Harish Rao is reviewing the progress of lining and other repair works in Sagar left bank canal very often. He also ordered for total modernisation of branch canals and water society canals. Out of total 42 lift schemes, works have been completed in 35 schemes. He maintained that if the farmers could utilise the State water allocations properly, there would not be any reports of farmers’ suicides in Telangana.

Harish Rao surprised over abnormal delay in the Nagarjuna Sagar left bank canal modernisation works which had commenced eight years ago. He advised the irrigation officials to adopt team work and suggested to open a WhatsApp group so that they can share the progress of the work on daily basis.

With the motivation and initiative of the Minister and commitment of officials, Telangana will get another 1.5 lakh acres of new ayacut with modernisation of Nagarjuna Sagar left bank canal. With the strong lining, wastage of water can be totally prevented and even the tail-end lands will get water. In addition, the old ayacut will be stabilised with completion of lift irrigation schemes.