Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu. (Photo: X)
Vijayawada: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has said action is being taken to remove the encroachments to Budameru that caused massive flooding, and a new canal is being contemplated.
There are 3051 illegal constructions in the areas surrounding Budameru, the minister said and directed officials of the Irrigation and Revenue departments to examine the possibility of laying a new canal from the Velagaleru regulator to the Enikepadu under tunnel.
This is proposed via Pamulakalva and Gollapudi Lift Irrigation Canal (GPS) that runs parallel to the Budameru.
The Budameru is interlinked with the GPS canal that flows from Gollapudi to Mustabada and Pamulakalva at Ambapuram near Vijayawada. The newly proposed parallel canal to the Budameru rivulet is within the limits of Vijayawada city to overcome future floods in Budameru.
The minister held a review meeting with officials of the water resources, town planning, revenue and survey departments to prepare an action plan. This would be styled as ‘Operation Budameru’, the minister said at his camp office here on Thursday.
Ramanaidu asked officials to make a study on the expansion of a parallel canal from Velagaleru regulator to Enikepadu UT via Pamulakalva and the GPS canal. The old Budameru canal from Velagaleru Regulator to Enikepadu UT is flowing through residential areas.
At this stage, an alternative canal that runs parallel to the Budameru from Velagaleru Regulator to Enikepadu UT via Pamulakalva and Gollapudi Lift Irrigation Canal (GPS), from Gollapudi to Mustabad, should be thought of, he said.
“Then there would be a chance to divert the floodwaters from Budameru to the new canal,” he said.
Later, the minister said action is being taken against 3,051 encroachments along the Budameru rivulet, mostly within the VMC limits. As many as 70 acres out of the total 202 acres have been encroached -- from Vidyadharapuram to Gundala. Houses have been constructed along the bund, he said.
The encroachments extend 36.2km across several VMC wards, and these are used primarily for agricultural purposes.
The minister said, “We would prepare an action plan after getting a detailed report, and present this before the chief minister. Based on the CM’s decision, the ‘Operation Budameru’ would be started here.”
Budameru is flowing from Velagaleru to Kolleru via Vijayawada city, Vidyadharapuram, Kavuluru, Elaprolu, Pydurapadu, Gollapudi, Gunadala, Ramavarappadu, Prasadam Padu and Enikepadu, a distance of around 13.25km. These lands have been encroached, he said.
Ramanaidu said there is a need to increase the capacity of Cheemalavagu, Enikepadu and Kesarapalli UTs. Also, the Budameru embankment from Enikepadu to Kolleru stretches 50.60km, and should be strengthened, he opined.
Additionally, the lining and widening works have been reviewed at Thursday’s meeting, the minister stated.
This is proposed via Pamulakalva and Gollapudi Lift Irrigation Canal (GPS) that runs parallel to the Budameru.
The Budameru is interlinked with the GPS canal that flows from Gollapudi to Mustabada and Pamulakalva at Ambapuram near Vijayawada. The newly proposed parallel canal to the Budameru rivulet is within the limits of Vijayawada city to overcome future floods in Budameru.
The minister held a review meeting with officials of the water resources, town planning, revenue and survey departments to prepare an action plan. This would be styled as ‘Operation Budameru’, the minister said at his camp office here on Thursday.
Ramanaidu asked officials to make a study on the expansion of a parallel canal from Velagaleru regulator to Enikepadu UT via Pamulakalva and the GPS canal. The old Budameru canal from Velagaleru Regulator to Enikepadu UT is flowing through residential areas.
At this stage, an alternative canal that runs parallel to the Budameru from Velagaleru Regulator to Enikepadu UT via Pamulakalva and Gollapudi Lift Irrigation Canal (GPS), from Gollapudi to Mustabad, should be thought of, he said.
“Then there would be a chance to divert the floodwaters from Budameru to the new canal,” he said.
Later, the minister said action is being taken against 3,051 encroachments along the Budameru rivulet, mostly within the VMC limits. As many as 70 acres out of the total 202 acres have been encroached -- from Vidyadharapuram to Gundala. Houses have been constructed along the bund, he said.
The encroachments extend 36.2km across several VMC wards, and these are used primarily for agricultural purposes.
The minister said, “We would prepare an action plan after getting a detailed report, and present this before the chief minister. Based on the CM’s decision, the ‘Operation Budameru’ would be started here.”
Budameru is flowing from Velagaleru to Kolleru via Vijayawada city, Vidyadharapuram, Kavuluru, Elaprolu, Pydurapadu, Gollapudi, Gunadala, Ramavarappadu, Prasadam Padu and Enikepadu, a distance of around 13.25km. These lands have been encroached, he said.
Ramanaidu said there is a need to increase the capacity of Cheemalavagu, Enikepadu and Kesarapalli UTs. Also, the Budameru embankment from Enikepadu to Kolleru stretches 50.60km, and should be strengthened, he opined.
Additionally, the lining and widening works have been reviewed at Thursday’s meeting, the minister stated.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story
