No irrigation water for Singur ayacut during Yasangi as repairs to be taken up

Singur dam repair works in Sangareddy will halt irrigation for 40,000 acres under Singur canals and 25,000 acres under Ghanpur anicut in Medak. Farmers may switch to alternative crops, while protests are expected over potential losses during the Yasangi season

Sangareddy: Irrigation officials of Singur have declared that they would not be able to provide irrigation water to 40,000 acres of ayacut under the Singur canals in Sangareddy district and 25,000 acres of ayacut under the Ghanpur anicut in Medak district, as they are preparing to take up repair works on the Singur dam during the Yasangi season. However, officials said farmers could take up alternative crops for the season.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Deputy Executive Engineer (DEE) of Singur C Nagaraju said the works would likely be grounded in about 10 days, as tenders had already been called for. He said an agreement with the contracting agency would be signed within a week.

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Stating that the project currently has 16 TMCft of water at the 520 feet level, Nagaraju said a few vulnerable spots above this level had been identified for immediate repairs. Later, water would be released gradually from the project after obtaining government permission to take up the repair works in a phased manner, he said.

The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Mission Bhagiratha would require 4 TMCft and 6 TMCft of water respectively for the next six months until June. Alternative arrangements would have to be made if the government permits the irrigation department to deplete water from Singur earlier, he added.

As the Dam Safety Review Panel of the National Dam Safety Authority found severe damage to the earthen embankments and revetments of the Singur dam, the irrigation department decided to take up the repair works on an urgent basis. However, neither the irrigation department nor the State government has made any announcement on BRS leader T Harish Rao’s demand to announce compensation to farmers of the ayacut by declaring a crop holiday.

Farmers are expected to stage protests in Sangareddy and Medak on Tuesday following the announcement.