Early elections facilitate water release to Singur

Nizamabad: With Assembly elections on the horizon, water is being released from Singur project to Nizamsagar without any hitch.

Farmers under Nizamsagar ayacut are overjoyed over the release of 1.5 tmc ft f or standing crops. Under normal circumstances, it is a Herculean task for farmers to get water from Singur project. Usually, opposition parties threaten to take up agitations demanding Singur water.

Under Nizamsagar and Alisagar project ayacuts, around 2.30 lakh acres are under cultivation this kharif season. Upstream Alisagar reservoir, 1.30 lakh acres have been cultivated. Farmers depend on open wells, bore wells and streams to sow paddy in Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts.

Recently, agriculture minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy visited Nasrullabad, Kotagiri mandals and reviewed the situation to release water from Nizamsagar.

In the first phase, 1,000 cusecs was released from September 15. Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao assured release of 1.5 tmc ft from Singur project on September 19 and the water released on Wednesday.

Last year, the state government released 12 tmc ft from Singur to Sriramsagar project. Preserving around 5 tmc ft, Nizamsagar officials released the remaining water for SRSP and flood flow canal during the trial runs.

Two years ago, Nizamsagar received full reservoir level water and catered to the needs of kharif and rabi season.

Water may reach Nizamsagar on Friday after 24 hours. Presently, water level in Nizamsagar project is 1,380.36 feet as against full reservoir level of 1,405 ft and 1.36 tmc ft is available in the project.

The water level at Singur is 516.345 meters. Dead storage level of 5.935 tmc was available in the project on Thursday, but water was released for Nizamsagar.

Speaking to this newspaper, Nizamsagar project deputy executive engineer Datthatri said that Singur water released Ghanpur anicut on Thursday and it will reach Nizamsagar by Friday evening.