The Pattiseema lift irrigation project, aimed at tapping surplus Godavari river water flowing into the sea and diverting it to the Krishna river for supply to the delta and Rayalaseema, is being fast-tracked by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

The N Chandrababu Naidu Government plans to complete it in about 12 months and has awarded the contract to infrastructure company MEIL, amidst stiff opposition from YSR Congress Party and Left parties.

Scheme features

Under the scheme, it is proposed to divert 80 tmc of water from Godavari river to Krishna delta when the former is in spate by tapping the water at Pattiseema. On the Godavari right bank, 13 pumps and motors will be erected with discharge capacity of 8,500 cusecs.

The water will be pumped up through motors to a 54 m pipeline and then on to the Polavaram right canal. The water will then be pumped into the Krishna river through gravity.

Agreement with States

Under the Bachawat tribunal and inter-State agreement between Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, 80 tmc of water can be diverted from Godavari to Krishna river.

As a part of this effort, the Polavaram multi-purpose project was drawn up to help irrigate crops in both Godavari and Krishna river regions. Since the project will take time, the State has conceived the Pattiseema project. The State Government has approved the bid of MEIL with 21 per cent excess than the estimated amount of ₹1,007 crore, with a rider that if the project is completed in time, then 15 per cent would be given to the contractor.

This has become a matter of controversy with the opposition questioning the hike.

The Government has been defending the contract, as the company has been given stiff deadlines and the 15 per cent hike over 5 per cent permitted is for timely completion of the project. The Chief Minister is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project soon. MEIL is sourcing motors from BHEL and suppliers in Brazil and China.

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