Godavari water not reaching Central Delta due to road works

KAKINADA: Though the Irrigation department has released water to Godavari Delta canals five days ago, this has not reached the central delta and in particular the tail-end fields. It has not even reached the main canals – from where it flows into the branch canals.

At present, the tail-end fields are full of saline water. Unless the fresh Godavari water is released into the fields, the saline water can’t be discharged. Farmers are anxiously waiting for Godavari water to reach their fields through the main and branch canals to help raise the nurseries.

Bharat Kisan Sangh East Godavari district general secretary Yalla Venkatanandam said all the paddy fields in tail-end lands including Allavaram mandal are full with saline water. The Kharif sowing is already delayed by 15 days due to the delay in the release of water to the canals.

The delay is caused due to the Polavaram project works. At present, the pressure on flows is low and not helping the water reach the main canals.

Farmers are worried that if the raising of nurseries is delayed, it will be a problem going for the second crop. The time will not suffice.

In some places, there is no possibility of the water reaching the canals under the Amalapuram Main Canal limits. Due to extension work for the roads, the canals have been closed. The canals can’t be opened until the completion of the retaining wall works as part of the road extension.

Irrigation officials said that once these works are over, water could be released to the canals. Farmers in these areas are urging the officials to expedite the works.

Dowleswaram irrigation department’s engineers said 8,000 cusecs of water is being released daily from the barrage and it may take time for water to reach the main canals. The flow may  increase in the coming days.