Proposal for Underground Tunnel in Nallamalla Forest for Godavari-Banakacharla Link Project

NEWS CHARIOT (ANDHRA PRADESH, JAN.8) : In the Godavari-Banakacharla linkage project, a proposal to construct an underground tunnel through the Nallamalla forest has been put forward. Once the Bollapalli reservoir stores water, the plan is to transport water to the Banakacharla Head Regulator via an underground tunnel running through the forest.

The construction of a 118 km gravity canal to carry 24,000 cusecs of water is also part of the project, which will include lifting water at three points along the way. The tunnel will span around 27 km in the Nallamalla forest area, which is a wildlife sanctuary. To minimize environmental impact, the tunnel will be built underground, ensuring the water flows completely beneath the forest area.

The project is expected to require 17,000 acres of forest land, with 15,000 acres coming from the Bollapalli reservoir area. Environmental and forest permits are considered to be easier to obtain due to the alignment of the project in states where the NDA government is in power.

In contrast to the Godavari project, the Polavaram reservoir will not require lifting water for transporting it to the Krishna River, as existing canals will be expanded to accommodate the increased flow. The Polavaram Right Canal is already 187 km long and will be widened to handle 28,000 cusecs of water. Additionally, the Tadipudi Lift Irrigation Scheme, which supplies water to the Western Godavari region, will be extended.

The project will require around 5,000 MW of electricity annually for operation, making electricity costs a significant challenge for the project. However, authorities believe obtaining necessary approvals from central and state governments will not be difficult.