Andhra to interlink rivers with Godavari-Banakacherla project

Andhra Pradesh is set to embark on an ambitious river-linking project known as the Godavari-Banakacherla Project.
Key Highlights
Objective: The project aims to divert water from the Godavari River to drought-prone regions through the Banakacherla reservoir.

Benefits:
Water Supply: Provides drinking water to 80 lakh people.
Irrigation: It is expected to irrigate around 7.5 lakh acres of farmland.
Drought Mitigation: Helps combat water scarcity in districts like Prakasam, Nellore, and Rayalaseema.

Phases of Implementation:
Phase 1: Diverting Godavari water from Polavaram Project to the Krishna basin.
Phase 2: Transporting water to the Bollapalli Reservoir.
Phase 3: Directing the water from Bollapalli to Banakacherla.https://www.iasjnana.com/

Financial Commitment: The project is estimated to cost ₹70,000-₹80,000 crore, requiring the acquisition of 54,000 acres of land.
Timeline: The state government aims to complete the project within three years.

About the Godavari Riverhttps://www.iasjnana.com/
The Godavari River is one of the major rivers in India and holds great significance for the regions it flows through.

Key Facts:
Source: The river originates from the Trimbakeshwar in the Western Ghats, near Nashik in Maharashtra.
Length: It runs approximately 1465 kilometers, making it the second-longest river in India, after the Ganges.

Basin: The Godavari basin covers an area of about 312,812 square kilometers, which includes parts of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Puducherry.

Significance:
Irrigation and Agriculture: The Godavari is often referred to as the “Dakshin Ganga” or the South Ganges, due to its vital role in providing water for irrigation, supporting extensive agricultural activities across multiple states.

Cultural Importance: The Godavari Pushkaram, held every 12 years, attracts millions of devotees.https://www.iasjnana.com/