Farmers along Penganga banks want Korata-Chanaka barrage on fast track

ADILABAD: Farmers in villages along the Penganga River are anxiously awaiting the early completion of the Korata-Chanaka barrage to prevent floods and protect their agricultural lands and standing crops during the rainy season. This year, many farmers received Rs 10,000 per acre as compensation for damaged crops, a significant improvement from previous seasons.

The Korata-Chanaka barrage is intended to supply water to 50,000 acres in the Adilabad Assembly Constituency. However, the main canal works remain unfinished, and land acquisition for canal laying is still pending, delaying the barrage’s full functionality.

The former Adilabad district was allocated Rs 6 crore for compensating crop damages caused by recent floods. In Bela Mandal alone, farmers received a total of Rs 86.9 lakh for their standing crops. Significant crop losses were reported in Sangvi, Bedoda, Guda, Manyarpur, Kogdur, and Magroor within Bela Mandal. Overall, 2,193 farmers in the Adilabad district received compensation for their damaged standing crops.

Farmers in Jainad and Bela Mandal villages experienced severe losses during the Kharif floods. The incomplete Korata-Chanaka barrage has failed to store adequate water, allowing rainwater to inundate downstream areas.Sheik Jafar from Maniyarpur village in Bela Mandal stated, “I received Rs 30,000 as compensation for the damage to my three acres of crops due to the floods. These floods could have been prevented if the Korata-Chanaka barrage had been completed.”

Another farmer, Vipin Takre, expressed hope in the barrage’s completion, emphasising its role in preventing future floods and protecting standing crops. “We primarily cultivate cotton, red gram, and soya along the Penganga River. Additionally, wild animals like antelopes and wild boars are causing further damage to our crops,” Takre added.

Takre appealed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, urging the allocation of necessary funds to expedite the completion of the Korata-Chanaka barrage. “Completing the barrage will greatly benefit the farmers living along the Penganga River by safeguarding our livelihoods and ensuring agricultural stability,” he said.