Kaddam project in Nirmal loses charm due to official neglect

The Kaddam Narayana Reddy project in Nirmal, once a popular tourist spot, is struggling due to broken boats, unsafe boarding facilities, and poorly maintained cottages. Locals urge the government to restore services and revive the destination’s lost appeal

Nirmal: The Kaddam Narayana Reddy irrigation project at Kaddampeddur mandal headquarters, a major tourist attraction in the district, is in urgent need of official attention.

A boat ride facility was introduced at the project in 2010 to attract visitors from across Telangana. Tourists could enjoy views of the Sahyadri hills while taking a ride in the scenic reservoir, built across the Kaddam river in 1958. The fare for a speed motorised boat ride is Rs. 50 per person, while a deluxe boat ride costs Rs. 600.

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However, a shortage of operational boats and the poor upkeep of cottages are causing inconvenience. With the speed motorised boat often developing snags and lying non-functional, visitors are forced to hire the 16-seater deluxe boat, which itself is operating only through temporary repairs. The high fare has discouraged most tourists from opting for the deluxe ride. Adding to the woes, one boat operator has been transferred to another location, hitting services further.

The boating stand, once shifted to the Somasila irrigation project in Nagarkurnool district, remains in a dilapidated state. Tourists face difficulty in boarding boats, with operators resorting to ropes and rafts (theppa), posing safety risks due to the absence of a proper stand.

Maintenance of the 12 air-conditioned cottages, built in 2015, has been handed over to a private agency. Tourists complain of poor amenities and often travel to distant hotels for meals, incurring additional expenses.

Locals have urged the government to revive the spot by improving boat services and introducing better facilities. They point out that boat rides generated revenue in lakhs until a few years ago, but income has dropped sharply due to official neglect.