On PWD’s plea, AP steps up water release

Earlier, 1,500 cusecs were being released in the canal and the PWD officials witnessed a sudden drop in the inflow a few days ago. According to PWD officials, the AP government released Krishna water a week ago, the water reached the Poondi reservoir a few days back. The inflow was at the rate of 25 cusecs. However, the level gradually declined and stood at a mere five cusecs a few days back. Alarmed by the dipping levels, PWD officials wrote to their counterparts to step up release to ensure drinking water for the city. They also made a point that farmers along the KP canal were drawing water for cultivation as the north east monsoon had not progressed well. They asked the AP irrigation officials to check on such illegal pumping out of water from the canal. A senior engineer, Kosasthalaiyar River Basin, said “we have written to our counterparts to curb such malpractice and ensure sufficient flow. We have also mentioned in the letter that since storage in the reservoir is on the decline and north east monsoon is not progressing well, we need water to meet drinking water needs.” 

The engineer added that they received a communication from the AP officials saying that they have stepped up the quantum of water release to 1,700 cusecs, besides curbing illegal pumping of Krishna water. M Bhakthavachalam, superintending engineer, Palar Basin Circle, Chennai region, told DTNext, “We are monitoring such illegal pumping of water from the zero point in the canal and AP officials have assured a better flow in the canal.” Fourth desalination plant Meanwhile, the Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) has started the process of identifying land to establish a fourth desalination plant, from which the Board can draw 400 MLD a day. The Board had already floated the tender for the third desalination plant at Nemmeli. The fourth plant would add strength to the existing facilities in tackling the drinking water demands of Chennai city. “The project is at the preliminary stage, we are in the process of preparing a blue print and identifying land,” said an official.