Farmers long wait ends as water from SRSP released
The state level irrigation committee has also approved the proposal and directed the officials to release the water.
Nizamabad: Sriramsagar project, the lifeline to North Telangana districts is all set to release water for yasangi (rabi) crops from February 1 onwards. Project officials decided to release water from Kakatiya canal to irrigate around 3.91 lakh acres in undivided Nizamabad and Karimnagar districts.
There are 4.62 lakh acres ayacut under Kakatiya canal in Nizamabad, Jagitial, Rajanna Sircilla and Karimnagar districts. SRSP officials submitted proposals to utilise 22.21 tmc of water up to Lower Manair Dam (LMD) in Karimnagar. The state level irrigation committee has also approved the proposal and directed the officials to release the water.
Water will be released in an on and off method for Kakatiya canal with eight days on and seven off. Water will be released for Kakatiya canal for February and March months only.
The farmers under ayacut area are eager to receive water for ensuing yasangi crops. SRSP officials suggested that farmers should go for ID crops instead of paddy. Keeping in mind the drinking water needs in the summer season, project officials expressed their inability to supply enough water for agriculture needs. On the other hand, water will be released for Saraswathi and Laxmi canals for undivided Adilabad and Nizamabad districts.
Water will be released from February 1 to April 1 in four spells. If farmers cultivate paddy, they will face water problem at the end of the crop, the officials said. They repeatedly suggested to the farmers not to go for paddy and cultivate only ID crops.
Meanwhile, elected representatives under Sriramsagar project command area urged the government to supply water for yasangi crops. In view of 24x7 power supply availability and with the meticulous use of water, farmers are showing interest to cultivate paddy. Only a few others are ready to cultivate ID crops.