Archive · 27 Nov 2025
Lack of Laskars Causes Concerns for Nagarjunasagar Right Main Canal
The Nagarjunasagar Right Main Canal in Andhra Pradesh is having problems because there aren't enough laskars, who are workers that help take care of the canal.
These workers are important for controlling the water flow, maintaining the canal, and protecting it from damage.
The government hasn't responded to a request to hire more laskars on a temporary basis.
Recently, a big hole, or breach, formed in the canal because some villagers dug into it to use the water for a religious ritual.
The canal also has issues with people taking over its land to grow crops, which makes the canal narrower and causes water to not reach all the farms that need it.
The authorities have asked farmers to grow crops that need less water to save what is available.
They say it's really important to hire more laskars to make sure everyone gets the water they need.
Lack of laskars is causing concerns for the maintenance and protection of the 207-km-long Nagarjunasagar Right Main Canal.
Water Resources authorities proposed hiring 227 laskars on an outsourcing basis, but the government has not responded.
A recent 100-feet breach occurred near Karempudi village due to villagers diverting canal water for a religious ritual.
Encroachment of canal lands by villagers is reducing the canal's width, affecting water flow to tail-end areas.
Authorities have directed farmers to grow dry crops like pulses instead of water-intensive crops like paddy to optimize water usage.
- Who
- Water Resources authorities in Andhra Pradesh
- What
- Lack of laskars affecting canal maintenance and water regulation
- When
- Ongoing issue, recent breach occurred recently
- Where
- Nagarjunasagar Right Main Canal, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- Inadequate staff and government response delay
- Canal Length
- 207 km
- Proposed Laskars
- 227
- Command Area
- 12 lakh acres
- Affected Districts
- Guntur, Palnadu, Bapatla, Prakasam
- Recent Breach
- 100 feet near Karempudi village