Telangana: Murredu ‘karakatta’ works in Kothagudem remain a non-starter

Kothagudem's Murredu stream embankment, proposed in 2023, remains unbuilt. Revised Rs. 50 crore estimates await funding. With monsoons nearing, residents fear flooding and erosion in Srinagar, Sanjay, and Hamali colonies

Kothagudem: The construction of an embankment (karakatta) along Murredu stream in Kothagudem town remains a non-starter even after three years since the works were proposed.

The soil on either side of the stream gets eroded every monsoon when the stream is flooded, posing a threat to the houses on the banks of the stream. Srinagar Colony, Sanjay Nagar and Hamali Colony in Laxmidevipally mandal were the areas affected due to the flooding. As the stream overflowed, over 20 houses on the banks of the stream collapsed while several others were damaged. Similarly agricultural lands were also flooded and irrigation pump sets were washed away due to floods in the last several years.

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In 2023, the then MLA Vanama Venkateswara Rao proposed to construct the ‘karakatta’ on either side of the stream. Irrigation officials prepared estimates with Rs.30 crore for the construction of embankment with advanced technology and funds were said to be sanctioned. Later, the present MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao suggested irrigation officials to submit revised proposals. After the revised estimates, the construction cost was stated to be Rs.50 crore but funds have not been sanctioned yet.

As the monsoon starts in another month, the residents on the banks were worried over the fate of their houses since the ‘karakatta’ construction works were not yet taken up. The residents want the MLA to focus on the issue and ensure that the ‘karakatta’ is completed at the earliest.

Irrigation department executive engineer Arjun informed that following suggestions from the higher officials, revised estimates were submitted. The work tenders would be called as soon as the State government sanctions the funds.