Kakinada JC directs officials to clear irrigation canal, drain encroachments by October-end
Kakinada, Sept 30 (TNT): Joint Collector Apurva Bharat on Wednesday directed officials to identify and remove encroachments obstructing the flow of water in irrigation canals and drains across Kakinada district by the end of October.
Chairing a review meeting of the Watchdog Supervisory Committee at the Collectorate here, he instructed engineers and panchayat officials from the Yeleru and Godavari Eastern irrigation divisions and the district drainage division to conduct field inspections and expedite the removal of encroachments.
The Joint Collector said he would tour the three divisions on alternate days during October to inspect encroachments affecting water flow.
He asked officials to pay special attention to low-lying and submergence-prone areas in Pithapuram and Gollaprolu, particularly with paddy harvesting approaching.
He directed officials to coordinate with the Revenue, Panchayat Raj, municipal, Irrigation and Police departments and prepare mandal-wise and municipality-wise plans for removing encroachments.
Police assistance should be sought, if necessary, to clear encroachments in Annavaram and Thallarevu, he said.
Apurva Bharat emphasised that statutory notices must be served before removing encroachments.
He also instructed officials to undertake desilting and remove garbage from canals and drains to ensure the unobstructed flow of water.
District Revenue Officer Dr Tippe Naik, Peddapuram RDO G. Krishnamurthy, RDO Administrative Officer Chainulu, Yeleru Irrigation Division Executive Engineer G. Seshagirirao, Godavari Eastern Division Executive Engineer Ramakrishna and District Drainage Division Executive Engineer V.V. Kishore attended the meeting.
TNT TMR
