What is the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme | Explained
Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, the project supplying Tungabhadra water to Telangana, is back in the news again. The Telangana Government has initiated an intensive exercise to
Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, the project supplying Tungabhadra water to Telangana, is back in the news again. The Telangana Government has initiated an intensive exercise to identify both immediate and long-term solutions to safeguard its rightful share of waters under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made a fervent plea to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to thrash out a permanent solution to the problems afflicting the project that have turned into major impediments in allowing Telangana to draw its share of allocated water from Tungabhadra river. The project caters to the needs of over 83,900 acres ayacut spread over 75 villages in Gadwal, Alampur and other places in the erstwhile Palamuru (Mahbubnagar) district but the State could draw just around 6 tmcft against the allocation of 17.9 tmcft. The Reason Continuing concerns over poor water availability, silt accumulation and structural constrains affecting the canal flows. There have been persistent difficulties in drawing adequate water into RDS despite allocations made to the State primarily on account of heavy silt deposits near the canal head regulator, changes in river morphology and structural impediments which significantly affected the free flow of water into the canal system over the years. Also read:Telangana’s legitimate rights over Tungabhadra waters will not be compromised: Uttam The system faces structural and hydraulic challenges that require a durable solution capable of serving the system for the next 15 to 20 years.
Expert Committee The Government of the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh appointed an expert committee that made several recommendations in 2004. Several recommendations made by an Expert Committee in 2004 were revisited during the deliberations. Among the key recommendations were the removal of silt mounds and sediment deposits near the canal entrance, restoration of proper gradients to facilitate smooth water entry, and execution of revetment works to stabilise river flows and protect vulnerable stretches. The expert panel pointed to the need for construction of a retainer wall to prevent silting of the RDS water source putting the Telangana farmers at the receiving end. According to technical assessments, a substantial portion of the river flow tends to move towards the Andhra Pradesh side under certain conditions, reducing water availability at the Telangana canal head. Present status Though Telangana deposited funds for modernisation of the RDS, downstream construction faced inordinate delays. This forced the State to look out for alternatives like Mallammakunta balancing reservoir to maximise water utilisation through Tungabhadra lift irrigation scheme. A brain storming session chaired by the Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy recently reviewed the status of the Tummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme, conceived as a supplementary source to stabilise the RDS ayacut and provide greater irrigation security to farmers in the region. The Chief Minister wanted the Irrigation officials to examine the scope for enhancing the storage capacity of the Mallammakunta reservoir to 5 to 6 tmcs even if it involved acquisition of more land.
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