Bandike Srinivasulu
The Muchumarri–Malyala link canal project, intended to supply irrigation and drinking water to Kurnool and other Rayalaseema districts, has remained incomplete for eight years. Once completed, the canal can facilitate the transfer of 3,850 cusecs of water daily from the Srisailam reservoir to the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi canal.
The Muchumarri lift irrigation scheme was launched in 2017 to help divert Krishna waters to Rayalaseema. However, the full capacity could not be utilised because the 17.77-km link canal connecting Muchumarri and Malyala remains unfinished.
The canal project was taken up in June 2018 at an estimated cost of ₹29.12 crore, with a target to complete the work within six months. Eight years later, only around 70% of the work has been completed. Works worth approximately ₹19.63 crore have reportedly been executed, while the remaining stretch continues to face delays.
At present, the existing arrangements reportedly allow only about 1,000 cusecs of water to be transferred to the Handri-Neeva canal under certain conditions. Completion of the link canal would enable the system to carry its intended capacity of 3,850 cusecs.
The project is particularly important when the Srisailam reservoir’s water level falls below 834 feet, the level cited as a constraint for lifting water through the Malyala pumping station. The Muchumarri scheme was designed to help utilise water at lower reservoir levels, down to around 798 feet, subject to operational conditions.
With power generation and water releases affecting reservoir storage, concerns have grown over the availability of water for Rayalaseema in the coming days. The Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi Project Superintending Engineer, Rajan Babu, has reportedly submitted a report to the government stressing the importance of completing the pending canal works.
The estimated cost of the remaining works has reportedly increased to around ₹14 crore. Coalition government MLAs Kotla Jayasurya Prakash Reddy and K.E. Shyam Kumar have urged the government to release the funds and expedite construction.
Completing the long-pending canal could strengthen water supply for agriculture and drinking needs across Rayalaseema, particularly during periods of low water storage at Srisailam.