Floods disrupt Devadula project works

Hyderabad: Asia's longest tunnel is being built by MEIL under the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme as part of Segment-3 executed between Jakaram in Mulugu district and Devannapet in Hanmakonda. Unprecedented Godavari floods are affecting the areas across the banks of the river, creating hurdles in the works of the project.

Due to the floods, the works of the tunnel, pump house and surge pool in Segment-3 have been hampered. As a result of heavy flooding following the downpours in the surrounding areas, the works of this key project, from Ramappa tank in Mulugu district to Dharmasagar in Hanmakonda district, have been obstructed. The tunnel and surge pool were inundated by the flood water.

The flood water is entering the 49 km-long single largest underground tunnel in the irrigation sector worldwide and also Asia's largest vertical surge pool in the project, creating a serious disruption to the work. The construction works have been scheduled for completion in a month's time. Following the schedule, the works have been on track until the flood water entered the premises.

"The floodwater has entered the pump house and surge pool as a result of the overflow of water from the streams and ponds surrounding this area. The ongoing works on the second gate are disrupted due to the unusual floods. This resulted in the submergence of construction machinery and relative tools. This may cause a delay in the completion of the construction works," the company said in a statement.

Devadula Lift Irrigation has a unique shape when compared to other lift projects. An approach tunnel entry porter with a diameter of 5.6 metre was constructed at a distance of 4 km from Ramappa pond. A 49-km-long tunnel has been built for easy flow of water which reaches the surge pool constructed at Devannapet.

The water lifted from the surge pool is fed through three pumps to the delivery system in Dharmasagar pond through a 6-km-long pipeline. Three machines were installed in the pump house built at Devannapet. Each motor has a capacity of 31 MW. Six shafts and 10 audit points have been established in this tunnel.