AP CM calls for DPR to build reservoir across HLMC

The reservoir would store Tungabhadra water of the High-Level Main Canal and meet the requirements of the Anantapur and Satya Sai districts.

The chief minister was responding to a representation from Rayadurg MLA Kalava Srinivasulu. He told Naidu that a reservoir had been proposed there during the TD term, but it was neglected by the YSRC government.

Naidu swiftly issued orders to the irrigation and finance departments to release necessary funds for a DPR as a first step towards the implementation of the dream project.

Nemakal Hanuman has been named for the separate balancing reservoir. The Nemakal Hanuman Temple was consecrated during the time of St Vyasaraja, who was also emperor and Rajguru of the Sri Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagar Empire. He had initiated the construction of several Hanuman temples as well as irrigation tanks across the region.

The new balancing reservoir was planned by the first TD government of 2014 near Untakal village in Bommanhal Mandal in view of the diversion of TB water by Karnataka farmers. The government had sanctioned a separate reservoir to store water in the border areas. This would help meet the needs of Anantapur, Kadapa, and parts of Kurnool districts through the High-Level Main Canal.

The HLMC has more than 1.68 lakh acres of ayacut under the main canal, covering an area of about 189.44km. However, not even a single balancing reservoir has been built to make proper use of the Tungabhadra waters in the district so far.

The Irrigation department reported that the farmers of Anantapur were facing problems of poor water supply even as the Tungabhadra Board allocated proper quota every year to AP, Karnataka, and Telangana.

The TB water would flow through more than 100km in Karnataka to reach the AP borders.

Srinivasulu has expressed his gratitude to the CM for the positive response to the project that can store 5tmc-ft of water.