Nandyal: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the tunnel-II of the Owk project. He unveiled its pylon and released 20,000 cusecs of water from Gorakallu reservoir to Owk reservoir. The State Government has spent Rs 1,501.94 crore on Owk tunnels, with Rs 567.94 crore being incurred on tunnels I and II.
Last year, the Chief Minister dedicated Nellore and Sangam barrages and the Handri-Niva Lift Irrigation project. These projects provide water to 77 lakes in the western parts of Nandyal and Kurnool districts. The Government also paid compensation of Rs 1,000 crore to the displaced persons of Gandikota reservoir.
The displaced persons of Chitravathi reservoir were paid compensation of Rs 250 crore. The Irrigation Department has maintained capacity water levels in Velugodu reservoir since 2019 after completing the lining works of the link canal and Telugu Ganga canal.
The Owk project was neglected between 2014 and 2019. However, the present Government sanctioned necessary funds and completed tunnel-II with Rs 145.86 crore.
With the release of water to Owk reservoir, an integral part of the Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS) project, the Government has fulfilled the long cherished aspirations of Rayalaseema people. The completion of tunnels I and II facilitates the daily release of 20,000 cusecs of water into the Owk reservoir during flood season. Tunnel-III, once completed, will facilitate the release of another 10,000 cusecs daily.
With the completion of the tunnels, Gandikota, Vamikonda, Sarvaraya Sagar, Mylavaram, and Paidipalem reservoirs will receive an additional one TMC of water daily. This will irrigate 2.60 lakh acres of land and stabilize 1.31 lakh acres of Ayacut. It will also provide drinking water to 20 lakh people in 640 villages. Rayalaseema will receive two TMC of water daily in the flood season.
