₹150 crore sanctioned for replacing Dowleswaram Barrage gates, says A.P. Minister

The Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned ₹150.09 crore for replacing the gates of the Dowleswaram Barrage on the Godavari, Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.

Replying to a question by Anaparthi MLA Nallamilli Ramakrishna Reddy during the Question Hour, the Minister described the Dowleswaram Barrage as the ‘lifeline’ of the Godavari delta system, irrigating about 10.13 lakh acres in the undivided twin Godavari districts and meeting drinking water and industrial needs.

Mr. Ramanaidu recalled that in 2014, the Telugu Desam Party government had replaced 58 of the 175 gates of the Dowleswaram Barrage at a cost of ₹31.77 crore. After assuming office in 2024, the coalition government sanctioned funds to replace the remaining 117 gates.

Mr. Ramanaidu alleged that warnings from the Central Water Commission (CWC) during the previous YSR Congress Party’s (YSRCP) tenure were not adequately addressed.

He credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for prioritising the barrage’s safety and modernisation. The works will be executed in phases, using stop-log gates to ensure an uninterrupted irrigation water supply.

Flood management

Additionally, ₹13.4 crore has been allocated for preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and conducting an aerial LiDAR survey to address flood management and structural concerns in the Godavari Delta.

The Minister also responded to queries by Kandukur MLA Inturi Nageswara Rao on the Rallapadu Reservoir in Prakasam district. He informed the House that the reservoir, with a storage capacity of 1.10 tmc ft, irrigates nearly 16,000 acres and supplies drinking water to 116 villages. Of this, 14,500 acres are served through the right canal and 1,500 acres through the left main canal.

He stated that ₹36.50 crore had earlier been sanctioned for the expansion of the left main canal, but the works were cancelled later. In December 2024, technical issues prevented the lifting of stop-log gates, affecting water release despite the reservoir being full. Motors were subsequently installed to restore supply.

The government has undertaken repairs and canal works at a cost of ₹2.54 crore and is taking up 190 minor irrigation works in Kandukur constituency at an estimated cost of ₹10.86 crore to strengthen irrigation infrastructure, he added.