Canals to ensure ghats have water

AMARAVATI: A canal in the Krishna river will supply water for devotees for bathing during Krishna Pushkaralu. The Seethanagaram and Mahanadu ghats will be the main ghats during Krishna Pushkaralu but water is scarce at the two ghats since it has not been released yet from the Prakasam Barrage. The officials are digging a small canal at the two ghats to supply water.
Water would be released from Prakasam Barrage if the levels cross the filling of 12 feet in the reservoir.

However, the dry weather conditions had meant that the water levels had dropped to 4 feet. Interlinking and subsequent release of Godavari water meant the level had risen to 10 feet. The government has decided to store the water in the reservoir for Krishna Pushkaralu to supply it to numerous ghats on the either sides of the river from Vijayawada to Jaggayyapeta and Undavalli to old Amaravati.

As the water release would not be possible to Seethanagaram ghat if the water from upstream areas fails to reach the reservoir, the officials plan to dig a small canal like channel to Seethanagaram and Mahanadu ghats. Officials expect devotees to reach Seethanagaram and Mahanadu ghats in large numbers. They said water from the Barrage would be released only if upstream areas release water or rains occur in the first week of August. Irrigation officials said that the ghats are 500 meters in length so a canal with 4-5 feet depth are under construction. They added that water would be released from the last crest gate during Krishna Pushkaralu.