Somasila Project Languishes in Decline

Agriculture & Rural

Posted by AI on 2025-07-31 00:49:19 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-13 05:35:35

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Despite serving a vital role in managing floods and supplying drinking water to Nellore, the Somasila Project cries out for much-needed repairs and maintenance.

Built to stabilize 4.05 lakh acres of wet ayacut and create an irrigation potential of 1.79 lakh acres in the area, the project has now fallen into a state of disrepair. The crest gate of the south feeder canal head regulator washed away in floodwaters on Friday, affecting over 40,000 acres of farmland. The project, which is also responsible for supplying 1.7 tmc feet of drinking water to various municipalities in Nellore, including 1.3 tmc feet to Nellore, 0.3 tmc feet to Kavali, and 0.1 tmc feet to Atmakur, faces trouble with every increase in population.

The project management's failure to address issues with the project in 2015 led to an abrupt discharge of water, which resulted in extensive flooding and damage. The situation has only worsened over time, and the project is now in desperate need of repair and upgrades to cope with the increasing challenges it faces.

With the recent washout of a gate, officials have deemed it necessary to make temporary arrangements to protect the gates until more lasting solutions are implemented.

This urgent response highlights the fact that the Somasila Project is a vital lifeline for the region and must be maintained and upgraded to continue providing these critical services.

Go!