Retired Engineers Say Kannepalli Annaram And Sundilla Pumps Can Be Operated Safely

On Thursday, the Telangana Retired Engineers Association (TREA) asserted that the Kannepalli, Annaram, and Sundilla pump houses can be operated safely to lift water, countering claims by the state government. The association, represented by honorary president G Damodar Reddy, president M Shyam Prasad Reddy, and general secretary Taneeru Venkatesham, offered their voluntary services to the Telangana government to help facilitate the water lifting operations for the benefit of the farming community.

The announcement challenges the Congress government's stance that the Kannepalli pump house cannot be operated due to National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) recommendations. According to the TREA, flood flows in the Pranahita River make it feasible to lift water through the system without causing damage, provided the operations are carefully monitored.

The association explained that hydraulic conditions are currently favorable for water lifting. The Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) required to supply water to the Kannepalli pumping station at Medigadda is 93.5 meters, while the present flood level under open-gate conditions stands at 97.5 meters. Under these conditions, the TREA estimated that approximately 3 tmcft of water could be lifted every day from the Kannepalli pumping station.

To ensure the smooth onward movement of water, the TREA stated that upstream reservoirs must be maintained at specific minimum levels. This includes keeping the water level at 116.5 meters at the Annaram barrage and 126.5 meters at the Sundilla barrage. At these levels, all three barrages would remain at their safe minimum operating levels and could function together.

The Annaram barrage has a storage capacity of 5.1 tmcft, while the Sundilla barrage has a capacity of 3.78 tmcft, creating a combined pondage of 8.8 tmcft. The TREA noted that even during short flood spells, there is an opportunity to lift nearly 8.8 tmcft of water through the three-lift chain to Yellampalli without causing property damage, loss of life, or submergence.

The association assured that as long as the Pranahita River's flood level remains above the required MDDL at Medigadda, water can be safely moved through the system while maintaining the prescribed operating levels.