Andhra Pradesh:: Dhavaleswaram Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage is the crown jewel of Godavari Delta heritage – Turning floods into wealth – Tomorrow Chief Minister Chandrababu to inaugurate the replacement of 117 flood gates at a cost of about ₹152.95 crore – New life for Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage
Raja Pentapati- AP Bureau ChiefAMARAVATI July 12th , Bharat Degital News
NATIONAL
(Five-Star Rated News Service by Google)
The Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage at Dhavaleswaram, which has been the lifeline for the agricultural and drinking water needs of both Godavari districts for almost two centuries, is set to witness another historic event. State Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will lay the foundation stone for the installation of state-of-the-art flood gates at Gate No. 1 of Pichukalanka in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district tomorrow.
Officials say this is a crucial milestone towards the security of irrigation water in the Godavari Delta and the long-term preservation of the dam.
The Dhavaleswaram dam, which was started in 1847 and completed in 1852, paved the way for the proper utilization of the Godavari waters. Sir Arthur Cotton’s role in diverting flood waters that would have otherwise flowed into the sea for agriculture and transforming the Godavari delta into one of the most fertile regions in the country is historic.
Over time, the old dam began to age, and after the 1963 floods, the need arose to build a modern barrage. The construction of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, which began in 1969, was completed in 1984.
This barrage, which is about 5.837 kilometers long, currently provides irrigation water to 10.13 lakh acres and continues to be the main source of drinking water for millions of people. It also plays a key role in flood control and conservation of delta agriculture.
The Central Water Commission (CWC), Dam Safety Review Panel (DSRP) and Hydro-Mechanical Expert Committees have conducted several rounds of reviews on the safety of the barrage in the wake of continuous use, heavy flood pressure and natural deterioration of mechanical components for four decades. Based on their recommendations, the state government has initiated the modernization of the barrage.
In the first phase of 2014-15, 58 gates out of 175 flood gates were replaced at a cost of Rs. 31.77 crore, and now the remaining 117 gates will be replaced, new rubber seals for all 175 gates, roller assemblies, wire ropes, master control panels, replacement of electrical cables, sand blasting and painting will be taken up. Irrigation officials said that once this project is completed, the safety and flood management capacity of the barrage will further improve.
The government granted administrative approval for these works in 2025, and after technical approval, the work was handed over to M/s BEKEM Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad. The project is being implemented with the aim of completing the work in two years.
This modernization program has also gained importance towards preserving the heritage of the Godavari region, which was recently recognized by the United Nations.
It is considered an attempt to preserve the historical heritage of barrage construction and adapt it to the needs of the future with modern technology.
The officials are confident that this program, which aims to preserve the heritage of water resources created by Sir Arthur Cotton and provide a safe irrigation system for future generations, will be another golden chapter in the history of the Godavari Delta.
Swacha Andhra Pradesh
