Bhakta Ramadasu Project Sets a Record

·        First of its kind in the country to have been completed in a record time

·        Project is completed in 11 months to irrigate 60,000 acres

·        Honorable CM Sri KCR will inaugurate the project on Jan 31, 2017

·        Water to be released on Bhakta Ramadasu Birth Anniversary day

·        First trail run completed successfully

·        Golden harvest in hitherto parched lands

·        CM congratulates Ministers, Officials and working agencies

·        Irrigation projects on fast track similar to power projects and Mission Bhagiratha

·        19 Lakhs acres of additional Ayucut in just two and half years

·        Victory mood in irrigation department

The 29^th new State of Telangana which was formed two and half years ago has achieved another land mark milestone. The state government, which could successfully pull out the state from power crisis in a record time, is also in the process of completing the works on Mission Bhagiratha aimed at supplying drinking water through pipes to every household, on a fast track. The state government is also creating a record of sorts in completing the irrigation projects, which are very essential to the people, on schedule. It was thought that soon after the formation of Telangana State, it might take three years to come out of the severe power crisis. But, thanks to vision and efforts put up by the Chief Minister, the State could come out of the problem within 9 months after formation of the State and the state is able to supply uninterrupted power supply since then.  The state government originally planned to supply drinking water to every household under Mission Bhagiratha before the next assembly elections. But, the clear indications are, that, the works will be over by this December end itself! The state government is also expediting the irrigation works. Finding that there is a lot of delay is taking place in tender process, preparations of the designs and land acquisition, the state government has brought in several reforms in these areas.  Laying of pipelines, construction of the Sub Stations, Approach Channels and Pump Houses construction were taken up simultaneously. This has resulted in completing the Bhakta Ramadasu Lift Irrigation Scheme in Khammam district in a record time.  This project is going to be role model for other irrigation projects in the State.

Project that has re-written history

At a time when irrigation projects mean time delays and years of extended project completion periods, Bhakta Ramadasu project is completed within 11 months from the date of laying foundation stone and is all set to release water. The Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone for Bhakta Ramadasu scheme on February 16, 2016 in Palair in Khammam district.  It was targeted that the project will be completed by March 2017. But the project is completed 2 months ahead and earlier than expected. It is one of the fastest completed projects in the country. On Jan 31, to commemorate Bhakta Ramadasu Jayanthi, the CM will dedicate the project to the people. The scheme is going to irrigate 60,000 acres in hitherto parched Tirumalayapalem, Kusumanchi, Nelakondapally, Mudigonda, Khammam Rural mandals under Palair Assembly Constituency represented by R&B Minister Sri Tummala Nageswar Rao and Dornakal mandal of Mahabubabad district. Agriculture lands DBM 60 under Sriram Sagar project will also be irrigated by this project.

Under this Scheme 5.5 TMC water from Nagarjuna Sagar Balancing Reservoir at Palair is pumped from a height of 125.700 Metres to DBM-60 (Sriram Sagar Project state II) which is at a height of 187 meters and be released at the 45^th kilometer. Tenders were invited on e-procurement basis and Mega Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) was given the contract.  It was agreed between the government and the working Agency that the project will be completed by March 2017.

Speedy acquisition of lands under GO 123

Land acquisition is done through GO NO 123. Land of 128.70 acres is acquired within a short time.  The farmers are also given the compensation immediately and they too have also extended their full support. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister, both Irrigation Minister Sri T Harish Rao and R&B Minister Sri Tummala Nageswar Rao monitored the project’s works on a daily basis with the Collector Lokesh and other officials concerned. They have shown utmost commitment and dedication towards the project. This has resulted in completing 16.50 KM length of main pipeline laying on a record time. The equipment like two motor pumps procured for the Indira Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme, which are not in use, are utilised for this project and Rs 90.87 Crore is spent on other civil works, motors, pipelines etc.,

Sub Station completed in 100 days

Works on supplying power to this scheme have also been commenced simultaneously.  The Telangana State Transco has planned to set up 7.83 kilometers HT power lines till the Kusumanchi Power House and 132/11 KV Sub Station at the Pump House within 100 days and executed accordingly.  Normally for any lift irrigation scheme it will take two years to complete the civil, mechanical electrical, laying of pipelines etc. But due to the coordinated efforts by irrigation, revenue, power departments and the Working Agency, these works on Bhakta Ramadasu project were completed at a fast phase.

Trail Run successful

Trail run of the first Pump, Motor and pipeline was conducted on January 23, 2017 successfully.  300 Cu Secs of water was released through this pump to Kakatiya Sub Channel DBM-60. The second trail will be held in February. Thus the entire work pertaining to the scheme is completed well before the targeted date and two months ahead and made ready by January 2017.

Palair is blessed

There is irrigation facility in Khammam district drawing water from both Godavari and Krishna rivers. But some Mandals under Paliar are facing water scarcity. Though there are crops all over the district, lands in these mandals turn arid patches. To facilitate water canals were also dug under SRSP stage-II. This is also the last Ayucut under SRSP. However never water could be drawn through SRSP. Never the water flow crossed Warangal District boundaries. Understanding the plight, the Chief Minister has asked the officials to make plans for the supply of water to these mandals for irrigation. The Officials have surveyed the area and came out with Bhakta Ramadasu project proposals. It was proposed to lift water from Paler reservoir and pump in to SRSP canal. The Chief Minister has immediately given an administrative sanction and released the funds too. He himself laid the foundation stone and reviewed the progress of works regularly. He also entrusted the responsibility of the project to Minister Sri Nageswara Rao. He also asked the Irrigation Minister Sri Harish Rao to expedite the process of tenders and other administrative measures. Accordingly the ministers concentrated on the progress of this project. While from one side the project work was in progress, simultaneously, repair work on SRSP canal was undertaken. In addition to irrigated water through canal system, it is also planned to fill the tanks. The ground water levels will also go up and the entire climatic change in Paler area will change for better.

CM KCR for Paler segment people prosperity

Minister Sri Tummala Nageswar Rao has taken special care on this scheme and reviewed the progress of works on a daily basis.  He has convinced the farmers to give lands for project work wherever required and ensured better coordination among the officials, visited the project site several times and this has helped the project to get over much earlier. The CM also congratulated Sri Nageswar Rao and Sri Harish Rao for their efforts. The CM also congratulated Irrigation officers, engineers and the Irrigation Minister for completing the project on time and showing the specialty of the T State.

Thanking Palair people with the project: CM

The CM said he is happy that he is able to give the project to people in Paler earlier than expected as a thanks giving for electing Sri Tummala Nageswara Rao with landslide majority in the By-poll. Similarly, the government will also complete all the irrigation projects on time in the State as a gift to the people of the State who gave a massive mandate to TRS in the last elections said CM. If one has commitment and dedication, projects can be completed on time, the CM said.

About Bhakta Ramadasu

Pouranic stories tell us about the ardent devotee Bhakta Ramadasu and his association with Lord Srirama. The stories also tell us about Srirama moving in Bhadrachalam forests during his 14 year forest life. Probably that might be the reason why Bhadrachalam is known as southern Ayodhya. Being an ardent devotee of Rama, Bhakta Ramadasu, while he was Tahasildar of this area during 17^th Century built the temple for him in Bhadrachalam facing lots of problems. The temple is famous all over the country till today. Ramadasu whose original name was Kancherla Gopanna became Bhakta Ramadasu since then. While Ramadasu built temple being an ardent devotee of Rama, KCR because of his affection and love to the people of Paler built this project. That is how the project is named after him as Bhakta Ramadasu Project. January 31 is celebrated as Ramadasu Birth Anniversary and appropriately the project is being inaugurated coinciding his birth day and is dedicated to the people. On this day Government is officially celebrating the birthday celebrations on a large scale.

Celebration galore at Irrigation department

The Telangana movement took place mainly for water and the state government has fixed irrigation as its top priority. More funds are allocated in the Budget for Irrigation only. The state government has several schemes and projects to give water to one crore acres of land in the state. Besides completing the on-going projects, the government has plans for many new irrigation projects and schemes. The government has completed on going projects in Mahbubnagar district, which was known for frequent famine and migration. The region is brimming with water now. Under the able guidance of Irrigation Minister Sri T Harish Rao special emphasis was given to the Paler Lift Irrigation Scheme. It is a celebration mood in the irrigation department with Mahaboobnagar getting water and with the Bhakta Ramadasu project’s early completion. Kalwakrti, Nettampadu, Koyalsagar, Bhima projects in Mahaboobnagar district have been completed and four and half lakhs of acres is brought under irrigation. Yet another three and half lakhs acres will be brought shortly. Medium irrigation projects in Mahaboobnagar, Khammam, and Adilabad and Medak districts have also been completed. All this could bring an additional 11 lakh acres under irrigation. Through Mission Kakatiya nearly 16, 000 tanks have been rejuvenated enabling seven and half lakhs of acres under cultivation in Rabi season. All this lead to a celebration galore in the irrigation department. Special Chief Secretary (Irrigation) Sri SK Joshi said the successful completion of these projects would give further boost to the other major irrigation projects like the Palamoor and Kaleshwaram Projects.

Great name for our company: Mega Krishna Reddy

MEGA Director Sri Krishna Reddy said they were able to complete the project two months earlier, thanks to the support extended by the Chief Minister. He said that this project would become a milestone in their Company’s track record. He thanked the CM, Ministers, Officials, Engineers and people for making the project a success. 

-Press note