Sitarama Project Rajiv link canal damaged again in Kothagudem

Parts of the RCC side-lining of the Sitarama Project Rajiv link canal were washed away again at Julurpad in Kothagudem, raising concerns over the quality of the works. Farmers fear further erosion and possible breaches as water continues flowing.

Kothagudem: Serious doubts are being raised over the structural integrity of Sitarama Project Rajiv link canal as parts of the reinforced cement concrete (RCC) side-lining of the canal have been damaged for the second time within a week.

It might be noted that parts of the RCC side-lining disintegrated between Repallewada and Imamnagar in Enkoor mandal in Khammam district four days ago, exposing the earthen embankment beneath. Repairs to the damaged portion were carried out hurriedly by irrigation department officials by stopping the water flow in the canal.

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Now, nearly six to seven metres of RCC side-lining has been washed away on the opposite side of the canal on Sunday, revealing the soil beneath at Vinobha Nagar in Julurpad mandal in the district following the release of water on Saturday.

After assuming power, the Congress government set aside the original design of the project initiated by the previous BRS regime and made a hasty decision to construct the Rajiv link canal running from the project’s main canal in Julurupadu mandal, through Vinobha Nagar, to the NSP canal near Enkoor.

Three ministers from Khammam district took this up as a prestige project and rushed to complete the construction of the nine-kilometre-long link canal in just four months at a cost of Rs 72 crore to divert Godavari waters to lands in the NSP ayacut in Khammam. MSR Constructions executed the project.

The farmers were alleging that while rushing to complete the project, quality standards were completely disregarded. The washing away of side-lining during the very second spell of water release, one and a half years after the canal was inaugurated, stands as proof of this negligence.

However, the district Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao, who was often seen claiming credit for the link canal, Bhatti Vikramarka and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy failed to either visit the damaged canal or speak about the remedial measures planned to address the issue.

The local farmers were expressing concern that the canal has been undergoing severe erosion, raising the risk of major breaches as water was still flowing in the canal.

The district Ministers, who criticised the previous BRS regime over alleged lapses in the Kaleshwaram project, should be held accountable for the lack of quality exposed in the Rajiv link canal works, they said.