Delay in permanent remedial measures of KB project irks farmers

Cracks in the earthen bund of the Ada irrigation project in Kumram Bheem Asifabad have raised structural concerns after heavy flood discharge in 2022. Experts have advised caution, while permanent repairs await further investigations, frustrating farmers dependent on irrigation water

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: The Kumram Bheem irrigation project, also known as the Ada project, a crucial source of irrigation and drinking water for Kumram Bheem Asifabad and neighbouring Mancherial districts, is facing structural risks downstream due to cracks in its earthen bund. Experts have warned of potential danger, while permanent remedial measures are being delayed, leaving farmers frustrated.

The medium irrigation project was built across the Peddavagu at Ada village in Asifabad mandal, with a storage capacity of 10.393 TMC at an estimated cost of Rs 748 crore in 2011. It was designed to irrigate 45,500 acres in the Asifabad and Sirpur (T) Assembly constituencies and supply drinking water to nearly 229 villages in the Asifabad segment alone.

---

Cracks developed along a stretch between 750 metres and 950 metres on the right side of the bund following heavy flood discharge in 2022, with officials also citing alleged poor-quality works. Since then, officials have relied on polythene covers to protect the bund from a possible breach and reduce the risk downstream. They are now drawing up plans for permanent remedial measures.

A report submitted by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), Pune, a few months ago noted that a portion of the earthen dam was subjected to heavy flood discharge in 2022.

“This resulted in massive slip of the upstream slope slid by 1.5 metres impacting overall stability of the dam and posing risk to habitation and infrastructure on the downstream side of the dam,” the report cautioned.

Irrigation officials said a team of experts had submitted a report after conducting geophysical investigations on the bund as part of remedial measures.

“However, the report was incomplete. The tendering process has been initiated to perform additional investigations such as soil and foundation tests by digging bore wells,” an official said.

The officials further said a fresh proposal would be submitted to the government for permanent remedial measures once the CWPRS submits its report after carrying out further investigations. Permanent repairs to the bund will commence only after the report is received and the additional tests are completed. For now, temporary preventive measures are being taken.

According to officials, proposals were submitted to the government in 2024 to conduct investigations to ascertain the causes of the damage and take up permanent remedial measures at an estimated cost of Rs 24.25 crore. Accordingly, Rs 79.46 lakh was sanctioned to the CWPRS, which exhausted the funds after recently conducting the geophysical investigations.

Additionally, Rs 43.60 lakh was sanctioned for temporary repairs, including covering the damaged bund with polythene covers to prevent seepage and filling the gorge with sandbags.

Higher authorities are inspecting the dam at regular intervals and monitoring the situation. They have instructed officials to remain vigilant about the damage to the dam.

Meanwhile, professors from NIT-Warangal advised officials to restrict water storage to 6 TMC against the full capacity, given the condition of the bund.

Currently, water is being used only to meet drinking water needs in the two districts. The water is likely to dry up and beneficiaries of Mission Bhagiratha could face a drinking water crisis if the El Nino pattern persists, affecting water supply.

However, farmers regretted that they were unable to use the project water for irrigation. They said their paddy and cotton crops were on the verge of withering due to the prolonged dry spell. They urged officials to expedite permanent repairs to safeguard their livelihoods and restore irrigation supply.