Residents dump garbage in Kurnool-Cuddapah Canal

Kurnool: The aim intended while constructing Kurnool-Cuddapah (KC) Canal is not serving the purpose. The canal is totally polluted and has become a place for dumping wastage. KC Canal spread over 306 kilometres has been meeting the drinking and irrigation water needs of Kurnool and Kadapa districts.

It was constructed in between 1863 and 1870 as an irrigation and navigation canal. The navigation system was abandoned during 1933 and the canal continued to be a major irrigation source. The canal which starts from the Sunkesula Barrage was constructed on Tungabhadra River in Kurnool mandal. The canal water irrigates around 1.7 lakh hectares by utilising 40 tmcft water from Krishna River.

With the passing of time, as many as 100 colonies have been emerged on the banks of KC Canal. The total population of Kurnool city is estimated to be 10 to 12 lakhs and the city has 50 divisions. The people residing on the banks of KC Canal are dumping the garbage, discharging domestic and polluted water into the canal. With the officials turning blind eye to take up cleaning of the canal, piling of garbage is continuing. The canal which passes through the heart of Kurnool city is covered with water

hyacinth. Earlier to water hyacinth, the canal was filled with empty soft drink cans, plastic covers, food waste and others. Though the canal has been protected with fencing at some places dumping of garbage is unstoppable. Residents allege the Kurnool Municipal Corporation (KMC) has completely ignored the maintenance of KC Canal.

S Venkata Ratnam, a resident of Somi Reddy Nagar, stated that several residential colonies in the city are dumping the wastage in the canal. "Even, some people are using the canal banks for attending nature calls during morning hours. It is a worst practice being adopted by the people. Officials concerned need to protect the KC Canal from pollution," he stated. "We need to cover our noses inside the temple while performing puja. Due to the stench, we cannot even have prasadams as it causes nausea," S Parvathi, a regular visitor of Ganesh temple located on the banks of KC Canal has said.

Voicing a similar opinion Reddypogu Prasad, a resident of Railway Station Road said, stated foul smell is emanating from the canal near KVR College. "The canal was totally covered with algae. The problem continues as the authorities are not taking up canal cleaning," alleges Prasad.

KC Canal has a radius of 7.5 kilometres in the district headquarters. Nearly 100 colonies have been located on either side of KC Canal in the city, starting from Munagalapadu limits and ends at Padidempadu village on the outskirts of Kurnool mandal.