Tirupati: Balaji Sagar, Mallimadugu get forest land

Tirupati: After long delay, the Central government gave nod to clear 740 hectares in the forest for the construction of Balaji Sagar reservoir and expansion of Mallimadugu dam.

It took 10 years to get clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. In this regard, the Water Resources department has received communication from the Centre recently. As part of the Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS) Phase-2, the AP government will construct Balaji Sagar with a capacity of 4 tmcft of water and will expand Mallimadugu from the existing 1 tmcft to 3 tmcft.

According to official information, the Water Resources department has to pay Rs 75 crore for clearance of 740 hectares to the Central government. The compensation for each hectare was fixed at Rs 25 lakh. Besides, the Water Resource department has to develop same volume of forest area in another place as an alternative measure. Once Balaji Sagar is completed then drinking water can be supplied to temple city and to meet water needs of electronics manufacturing cluster near Tirupati Airport.

Likewise, water from Mallimadugu can be supplied to Nagari Assembly constituency to cater the irrigation needs of farmers. Speaking to The Hans India, Telugu Ganga Project (TGP) Tirupati Circle Chief Engineer R Muralinath Reddy said that the Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued clearance for removal of trees in foreshore areas of Balaji Sagar and Mallimadugu reservoirs. The Centre's decision is a breakthrough in GNNS Phase-2 works, he said and added that the Forest department will pay amount to Central government soon.