VIJAYAWADA: Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu reviewed the action plan for Operation Budameru on Thursday, meeting with senior officials from the irrigation, town planning, revenue, and survey departments. The focus was on clearing encroachments along the river to reduce flooding in Vijayawada. He emphasized that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is committed to restoring Budameru to its original course and addressing the flooding issues affecting the city.
The Minister reported that encroachments have been identified along a 13.25 km stretch from Velagalur Head Regulator to Kolleru Lake, impacting areas such as Vijayawada and Gudivada. Significant agricultural encroachments were noted in Kavulur, Elaprolu, Paidarapadu, and Vidyadharapuram, where 70 acres of a total of 202 acres have been illegally occupied, resulting in over 30,000 unauthorized houses.
A comprehensive report is being prepared for submission to the Chief Minister for further action. The Minister also highlighted the necessity to enhance the capacity of Chimalavagu, Kesarapalli, Enkepadu, and UT channels, as well as to strengthen the bunds of the Budameru drain along a 50.6 km stretch from Enkepadu to Kolleru. Plans are underway to increase the capacity of Pamula Kaluva, Mustabad Canal, and Enkepadu Canal to effectively redirect Budameru’s water and benefit agricultural lands.
“We have been actively reviewing the situation with officials over the past three days,” he said. A PowerPoint presentation detailing the plan will be shared with the Chief Minister, after which Operation Budameru will commence.
Special Centre for Flood Victims
NTR District Collector Srijana announced that a special banking facilitation centre has been established at the Vijayawada sub-collector’s office to assist victims of the Budameru floods. This centre will begin operations on September 20, allowing the public to contribute to the relief efforts for flood-affected individuals.