ICHAMPALLY PROJECT

S. Prabhakar · Guest

This is an Interstate multipurpose project across Godavari, 12km down stream at the confluence of Pranahita and Indravathi. The project is envisaged between A.P, Maharastra and Chattisgadh states. The project is to be planned, surveyed and executed. This project after completion will irrigate I570UO acres in Kaharif and 173000 acres in rabi in Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam dists, Under Godavari basin, utilizing 85 TMC of water from the joint grid. The estimated cost of the project is about 4520 crores (SSR 2000)

In the beginning this project was not accepted by the central government on the ground of loss of forest lands due to submerging and it was suggested to select some alternative site from the head works. Now Ichampally site is finally decided as the best site for the head works.

The governments of A. P, Maharastra, and Chattisgadh has submitted their reports to the Prime Minister to treat this project as National project and to sanction the require funds for execution of this project. The central government has constituted a high level committee in July 2000 and the information compiled by the Govt. of A. P. has been discussed by this committee in the second meeting in January 2001. As decided by this committee, the A.P Government had prepared a note on parameters and B.C ratio for different FRLS and furnished to CWC, and to the government of Maharastra and Chattisgadh for approval.

With regards to utilization of 50 TMC to irrigate 500000 acres, a joint control board has been constituted for finalizing FRL +95M is communicated to the respective governments. Concurrence of government of Maharastra is received, and from the government of Chattisgadh is awaited.

The foundation of this project was laid as early as in 1969, but the project is still not cleared so far by the State Govt. Though the Central Govt. has giver, it's clearance a years back. The State Govt. has agenda for discussion to resolve the Inter state dispute with Chattisgarh for treating the project as a national project. It appears that the State Govt. is not keen for implementing this project as otherwise there is no reason why this cannot be resolved for the last 30 years. When a bigger Interstate dispute of Cavery waters can amicably be resolved, why not this dispute, if the state Govt. takes interest sincerely. The project if completed would benefit Warangal, Khammam, Karimnagar and Nalgonda dists. The original plan of 112 Mts of Bund across river Godavari is revised and reduced to 95 Mts which might effect very little, submerging a small area in Chatisgarh. The Govt. of A.P never tried sincerely to come up with a clear mandate to resolve this Inter - State dispute by involving the centre.

mandangi · Posted: Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:41 pm Post subject:

Many engineers are saying that Ichchampally project is not feasable. Devadula lift irrigation project is better than Ichchampally project.
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In India rich people become more rich and poor people become more poor. Because our politicians are following pro capitalistic policies.
Praveen Kumar Mandangi

K. Radha Krishna · Guest

The Governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have not agreed for the Project and have expressed their unwillingness for any submergence in their states.

The Government of India has rejected the project altogether as unacceptable due to environmental problem and has advised the state government to drop the reservoir proposal.

"There is no hope of reservoir project materialising in future".

B. Mallesh · Guest

An alternative project is proposed to be called "Icchampally Lift Irrigation Project".

1. The construction of Barrage (Low Dam) across river Godavari at Icchampally site with water level of the pond at + 300.00 ft. At this level of + 300.00 ft. there will be no submergence of any land, forest or a village, and the water is stored only with in the river margins.

2. The lifting of 350 tmc of water from Icchampally Barrage to various locations in Telangana area by installing suitable pumping stations, to provide irrigation facilities to 14 lakh hectares of and lands in seven districts of Telangana.

3. The laying, of pumping mains from the Barrage site to intermediate storage

reservoir, the first of such reservoir being, Pakhal Lake in Warangal district.

4. Lifting of water from Pakhal Lake to Hanamkonda and laying of pumping mains.

5. Distribution system to provide irrigation facilities to upland areas of Warangal and Khammam districts.

6. The laying of pipeline from Hanamkonda to Lower Manair Dam.

7. Lifting water from lower Manair Dam to provide irrigation to the upland areas of Karimnagar and Medak districts.

8. Pumping and gravity mains from Hanamkonda to Shamirpet lake near Hyderabad.

9. Provide irrigation to Jangoan, Bhongir and Ramannapet areas of Warangal and Nalgonda districts.

10. Laying pumping main from Shamirpet lake to Haldi Project reservoir in Medak.

11. Providing irrigation facilities to Gajwel, Medchal and Sangareddy areas of Medak and Ranga Reddy Districts.

12. Laying pumping and gravity mains to Himayatsagar and Osman Sagar reservoirs near Hyderabad City.

13. Provide drinking water to the city and irrigation to the areas in R.R. district.

14. Laying of gravity and pumping mains from Himayatsagar to Makhtal Mahaboobnagar district.

15. Providing irrigation to and areas of Mahaboobnagar district.

16. The overall project proposal includes the improvements to various existing storages where necessary and forming new storages where essential for balancing purposes.

17. The water distribution system comprises of open canals, piped supply lines, sprinkling irrigation systems and drip irrigation systems, depending on the area, levels and topography.

18. The usage of water will be in most economical way by using all the modern methods of water management and crop water requirements. The project outlined above is feasible and essential for the development of Telangana.

A detailed and comprehensive project preparation is necessary. The government may not have the necessary manpower and expertise to prepare a project of this type and magnitude.

A consortium of experts comprising of civil engineers, irrigation experts, power engineers, agricultural experts, economists and social workers will have to be formed to study the detailed aspects and prepare a project report.