Update on Kaaleswaram project

Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Friday said the exercise to fill the surge pool of Package-6 of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project with Godavari water would be taken up in the second week of August.

Harish, who has been camping here for the past two days, was speaking after inspecting the ongoing works of the project. The Minister, who examined Package-8 works on Thursday, inspected Package-6 and Annaram barrage works on Friday, besides visiting Yellampalli reservoir.Nearly 90 per cent works of the surge pool of Package-6 were completed. Fixing of drafts tubes was in progress and the surge pool would be ready by December, Venkatarama Rao, a representative of Navayuga Constructions that is executing the works, informed the Minister.

He said tunnel-lining was already completed. Stating that unit-I works of pump house were completed, engineers informed the Minister that dry run would be carried at the end of this month. For the purpose, under-construction GIS (Gas Insulated Sub-station) works must be completed. Fixing of second phase pump house would be completed by the month-end. Unit-III would also be ready by August 15, they said.Speaking on the occasion, Harish wanted the engineers to ready two units by August 15 to carry out wet run. Sort out the list of works and complete them within the timeframe, he told engineers.

While visiting Yellampalli reservoir, the Minister expressed anger at project engineers over the poor condition of approach roads. He was informed by the authorities that roadworks were being done at the left side of the reservoir and work on the right side would be taken up later.Enquiring about inflows and functioning of gates, the Minister suggested dam authorities be alert to huge inflows.

Later, Harish inspected Sundilla barrage works. Out of 74 gates, 33 gates were fixed. Hoisting system, which would be used to lift gates, was fixed for only three gates.The Minister expressed anger at contractor Krishna Mohan Reddy for the delay in works. Compared to Annaram barrage, Sundilla was far behind in fixing gates, he said and expressed displeasure over the delay in guide bund works. Compared to last month, there was no progress in works, he added.

As against 130-metre FRL (full reservoir level), guide bund works were still at 126 metres. COT was being filled now in some reaches. Instructing the engineers to examine works by camping at the site, the Minister wanted the officials to speed up revetment works.