Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has taken the plight of some structures in the Srisailam reservoir seriously. He expressed his anger over the complete destruction of the spillway, the cylinders installed at the approach channel, and the dam built at the tail pond, but no reconstruction measures were taken.
He was angry about why issues like the huge pit formed at the plunge pool, holes in the steel cylinders, and erosion of the hill have not been brought to the government’s attention so far. He ordered CMO Secretary Rajamouli to immediately convene a meeting with the Central Water Resources Committee and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and prepare estimates of the total cost of repairs.
He made it clear that those estimates would be presented to the cabinet for immediate approval. Darimila Rajamouli spoke to Special Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department G. Sai Prasad three times on Monday. He conveyed the CM’s orders.
The non-release of funds by the Finance Department came up for discussion on this occasion. Sai Prasad explained that the central government’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Drip) funds are not being sanctioned. Although funds are being sought for the maintenance of dams, they are not being given.
On this occasion, a copy of the letter written by NDSA Chairman Anil Jain on the 5th of this month was sent to the CMO. The NDSA report and a preliminary report on immediate actions were provided. He said that steps are being taken to reduce the impact of the huge sinkhole formed at the Plunge Pool.
He said that huge cement blocks will be laid at the harbor in the coastal area to withstand the tides and prevent the sea water from inundating the nearby areas.. He said that the same methodology has been decided to be used at the Plunge Pool as well.
Meanwhile, Sai Prasad said he would meet with the NDSA and the Water Committee and make estimates of the cost of the respective repair works and report to the government. He clarified that he would work in accordance with the CMO’s orders in this matter.
On the other hand, with the CM taking the plight of the Srisailam reservoir seriously, the water resources department has focused on the restoration of the tail pond dam on a war footing and ensuring that the adjacent hill does not erode.
The tail pond road that was washed away in 2009 has been reconstructed. Once the estimates are ready, it is planning to hand over the repair work to the contractor currently carrying out construction work at the Srisailam reservoir.
