HNSS canal turns vicinity lush green, farmers rich

Anantapur: The fields in the vicinity of the HNSS project main canal have turned lush green following improved groundwater table in the region. The irrigation authorities have pumped over 15 tmc ft from Srisailam backwaters through Handri Neeva Sujala Shravanti project main canal last season. The groundwater table got recharged along the length of the main canal and also the reservoirs under the project over the past two years while the water pumped up to Jeediapalle reservoir, a distance of over 220 km distance from Malyala in Kurnool district towards Anantapur district.

The surroundings of the HNSS main canal parts have turned into orchards with suitable horticulture crops in the district. “Prior to HNSS project, the fields were symbolic of drought with thorny shrubs and uncultivated lands. But the fields covered under the canal have turned into orchards due to availability of sufficient groundwater table,” K. Prakash, a farmer from Guntakal area observed.

Further, the HNSS water is being released to the tanks of southern parts of Anantapur district encouraging farmers to plan horticulture in future. “Pulletu tank in Rapthadu segment had received water after a gap of 38 years. We released water to the tank,” minister Paritala Sunitha said. Irrigation authorities hope for more water availability this year, on the back of predictions of good rains in upstream Karnataka.

Anantapur district faced water shortage of more than 10 tmc ft from Tungabhdra reservoir during last season due to rain deficit in the Western Ghats.Krishna waters helped to mitigate the deficit this year. Officials assess that a majority of the area covered by HNSS canal, including phase -II would get sufficient water in the coming season.