3 days ago
Yeleru Reservoir Modernisation Cost Soars After Decades Of Delays
The Yeleru Reservoir is an important water project in Andhra Pradesh.
It provides irrigation water to about 53,000 acres.
It also supplies drinking water to Visakhapatnam and industrial water to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
The reservoir’s improvement project has been delayed for nearly two decades.
Its expected cost has increased from Rs.240 crore to about Rs.840 crore.
Some work was completed, but many parts stopped because of funding, approvals and technical problems.
More land is also needed before the work can continue.
Broken canal and tank infrastructure is affecting farmers and flood protection.
Farmers are waiting for the government and local leaders to restart the project.
The Yeleru Reservoir modernisation estimate has risen from Rs.240 crore to about Rs.840 crore.
The project supports irrigation for about 53,000 acres and supplies water to Visakhapatnam and the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
Modernisation proposals were divided into two phases, but only about Rs.58.50 crore of work was completed.
Land acquisition requires nearly 200 acres for Phase I and 300 acres for Phase II.
Unfinished canal, regulator and Talluru Tank works continue to affect irrigation and flood management.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, officials, contractors, farmers, local elected representatives and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan are involved or affected.
- What
- The delayed modernisation of the Yeleru Reservoir has been reassessed at about Rs.840 crore, up from Rs.240 crore.
- Where
- The project serves areas around Pithapuram, Jaggampeta and Prathipadu and supplies Visakhapatnam.
- When
- The initial proposals date to the tenure of former chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy; fresh proposals were submitted in 2023.
- Why
- Modernisation is intended to improve irrigation, drinking-water and industrial-water supplies while helping manage excess water and flooding.
Farmers And Local Stakeholders
Officials And Elected Representatives
Impact of delays
Farmers And Local Stakeholders
Farmers say the prolonged delay has weakened irrigation security and flood management and affected water supply to the command area.
Officials And Elected Representatives
Officials and elected representatives point to inadequate funding, missing approvals, technical issues and land acquisition as constraints on progress.
Responsibility for stalled work
Farmers And Local Stakeholders
Farmers are looking to the government and local MLAs, particularly Pawan Kalyan, to take the project forward.
Officials And Elected Representatives
Officials say work stopped at different stages after changes in government, halted fund releases, cancelled works and unresolved payment and approval issues.
Key facts
- Revised estimated cost
- About Rs.840 crore
- Original estimated cost
- Rs.240 crore
- Irrigation coverage
- About 53,000 acres
- Reservoir capacity
- 24 tmc ft
- Completed modernisation work
- About Rs.58.50 crore
- Land required
- Nearly 200 acres for Phase I and 300 acres for Phase II
- Talluru Tank repairs
- Estimated at around Rs.50 crore
Sources
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