Minister for Water Resources Nimmala Ramanaidu addressing the media at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
The recent installation of a stop log gate at the 19th gate of the Tungabhadra reservoir during severe flood conditions represents a pivotal achievement in the region’s irrigation efforts, according to Minister for Water Resources, Nimmala Ramanaidu.
Minister Ramanaidu acknowledged the vital contributions of expert Kannaiah Naidu in successfully implementing this challenging project, which has secured approximately 40 tmc of water.
At a media briefing held in the secretariat, alongside Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Mr. Kannaiah Naidu, the Minister noted that the substantial damage to the 19th gate raised alarms among farmers in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
Under the strategic leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and leveraging Mr. Kannaiah Naidu’s extensive 50 years of experience, the swift installation of the gate has ensured that around 77 tmc of water is now stored in the reservoir.
This water will be crucial for the LLC, HLC, and KC Canals, providing essential drinking and irrigation resources to the Rayalaseema region, the Minister emphasized.
Additionally, Minister Ramanaidu commended the Chief Minister’s immediate action, even late into the night, in convening key officials to avert a major crisis. This proactive approach was vital in ensuring that farmers and residents in Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa districts, and parts of Telangana avoided a significant water shortage.
Reflecting on his extensive career, Mr. Kannaiah Naidu noted his involvement in numerous similar projects and highlighted the remarkable longevity of the Tungabhadra Dam, which, despite being commissioned in 1954 with an intended operational lifespan of 45 years, has been functioning effectively for almost 70 years.
