ANANTAPUR: Almost two years after the Pincha Project faced odds due to massive flooding and damage in Rajampet area in Annamayya district, it is set for a facelift as Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has initiated a reconstruction project.
About Rs 84 crore has been released towards reconstruction of the damaged Pincha project. The contractor was to complete the works before the next rainy season, to enable the project store water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Pincha dam was badly damaged due to floods in Pennar tributary two years ago. The water further hit the Annamayya project and inundated habitations, claiming the lives of more than 11 persons in Rajampeta area of Annamayya district.
The Annamayya is a medium-scale irrigation project across Cheyyeru, a tributary to Pennar river.
It was damaged during the flash floods in November, 2021. After this, there was no possibility of water storage and rain water from upstream areas joined with Somasila in Nellore without any benefit to farmers or others.
Some 12 villages of Rajampet area bore the brunt of the floods and devastation. The inhabitants were shifted to other areas. They are currently struggling hard in the rehabilitation centres.
About 206 medium and minor irrigation projects were damaged due to the flash floods in YSR and Rajampet districts.
However, the Pincha project was in line to be reshaped to make it functional.
Rajampet MLA Meda Mallikarjuna said the state government has sanctioned Rs 84 crore towards reconstruction of the project. “We set a target for the contractor to complete the spillway in a month and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will be visiting the project area next month,” he said.
The irrigation department was asked to complete the renovation works of Pincha dam by the next rainy season to enable it store water and avoid wastage of the water now flowing into the sea.
