AP CM asks irrigation department to start earth works

Hyderabad, Aug 12 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today asked the Irrigation department to immediately start earth work of deepening the Budameru Canal to prevent flood waters entering the Vijayawada city and neighbouring areas.

The Chief Minister reviewed the issue of floods of Budameru and Budameru Diversion Channel (BDC) and immediate steps to prevent floods with ministers and officials at Secretariat, a press release said here.

He said work should start immediately and National Highway and other obstacles should not hinder the work. The work should go on war footing and under any circumstances it should be completed within 30 to 40 days.

The aim is to see that carrying capacity of Budameru drain downstream of Velagaleru regulator is adequately increased so that the flood waters do not inundate large areas including part of Vijayawada city along the course causing considerable damage to crops and properties.

Because of inadequate carrying capacity of Budameru drain downstream of Velagaleru regulator, the flood waters inundate large areas including part of Vijayawada city along the course.

The expert committee constituted by government to study drainage problems of the state considered various proposals to mitigate the flood problem of Budameru and recommended to widen, deepen and line the existing Budameru Diversion Channel (BDC) to carry higher discharge. This project would include emprovement to BDC to carry 37,555 c/s and restructuring existing structures of VTPS to accommodate these discharges.

UNI BR SP BST2347