Southern States
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Andhra Pradesh
Dowleswaram barrage in need of urgent repairs
By R. Jagadeeswara Rao
RAJAHMUNDRY, DEC. 15. The `yawning gap' between the neoprene bearings and the beams of the eastern canal head sluice of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, popularly known as the Dowleswaram Barrage, which was `accidentally' noticed by senior officials of the Irrigation department, has been causing serious concern.
Confirming the damage which could be seen in the form of `exposed steel box, iron rods and concrete' at the bottom of the beams, senior officials of the Irrigation department said "it is a serious problem and failure to attend to this immediately can lead to further damage of the sluices culminating in the collapse of the structure. The gap is already more than an inch".
Interestingly, it was Mr. C.V.S.K. Sarma, Secretary, Irrigation department, Dr. Sitapathi Rao, Advisor to the Chief Minister on irrigation matters, and the Engineer-in-Chief, Mr. B. Venkateswarulu, who, while inspecting barrage works about two weeks ago, had noticed some `violent vibrations' at the eastern canal head sluice which were not normal. This was noticed in case of three vents of the head sluice of the eastern canal.
It may be mentioned here that from the river bed, piers are erected first. On these piers three concrete structures are provided. A neoprene bearing made of rubber and steel plates is kept between the pier's concrete structures and the beam to act as cushion. The beam which has to bear the entire weight and traffic of the barrage is made to rest on these bearings. Now this beam is not properly resting on the bearings. This has resulted in damage to the beams.
Enquiries with the officials concerned revealed that some rubber paddings were inserted into the gap as an immediate precautionary measure. Over the road, the small gap which was provided as a cushion for expansion while heavy vehicles passed, had also `increased' and a worker with a red flag in hand was positioned there to ensure that very heavily loaded vehicles did not pass with high speed at that particular point. Because movement of such vehicles could result in further increase of the gap.
It was Sir Arthur Cotton who, more than 150 years ago, had conceived and constructed an anicut with the noble idea of `one who grows two blades of grass where one grew, is the benefactor of the society'. It was to replace this anicut which had outlived its life that the Dowleswaram Barrage had been constructed. This was dedicated to the nation by the then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi in 1982.
It is the lifeline of irrigation to the districts of East and West Godavari as it irrigates more than 10 lakh acres of ayacut in the said districts. The prosperity of people in the districts of East Godavari and West Godavari is the result of this Barrage. Officials say that proposals for rectifying the damage have already been submitted to the Government but they are yet to be approved.
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