Budameru flood threat: The long-pending Budameru Diversion Channel (BDC) project, intended to protect Vijayawada and surrounding mandals from recurring flood threats, remains incomplete despite the urgency. Authorities and experts suggest that the completion of three key measures -resolving issues at power projects in Ibrahimpatnam to fully upgrade the BDC, merging the original Budameru Drain into the Krishna River downstream of the Prakasam Barrage, and constructing a reservoir above the Velagaleru regulator – could significantly prevent floods in the region. With ongoing floods displacing lakhs in the region, the government has yet to announce a concrete plan to protect Vijayawada and its surrounding mandals from future flood disasters.
Despite promises, actionable solutions have not materialized. Historical flood concerns, Budameru Drain’s origins : The Budameru drain has been a historical curse for the region. In 1957, a catastrophic flood caused by Budameru resulted in a flow of 24,500 cusecs, inundating rural Vijayawada. To counter future floods, an 11-vent regulator was constructed near Velagaleru, designed to handle 17,000 cusecs, and the 11.9 km Budameru Diversion Channel (BDC) was built to divert 7,500 cusecs into the Krishna River at Ibrahimpatnam. The channel’s capacity was expanded in 1990 to handle 15,000 cusecs. However, persistent flooding still affects areas upstream and downstream of Velagaleru, including Vijayawada. Polavaram project, BDC’s future : As part of the Polavaram Irrigation Project (2004-09), plans were devised to divert 80 TMC of Godavari water to Krishna River through the Polavaram Right Main Canal (PIPRMC).
The PIPRMC was connected to Budameru, upstream of Velagaleru regulator. The design included a discharge of 11,255 cusecs where PIPRMC joined Budameru. Consequently, the BDC was proposed to be upgraded to carry 37,555 cusecs to accommodate floods, water from PIPRMC, and return water from VTPS, totaling 37,555 cusecs (24500+11255+1800). In 2009, the government granted administrative approval of Rs 241.45 crore (GO MS No.30, dated 18-02-2009) to improve the BDC’s capacity. A revised approval in 2014 during the Telugu Desam Party government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu increased the budget to Rs 464 crore (GO Rt No. 638, dated 09.10.2014). Yet, significant work remains pending. Bottleneck: Power projects : Despite completing the earthwork excavation for most of the BDC from Velagaleru to VIjayawada, key stretches near VTPS (Km 8.30 to Km 9.875) and Active Power Corporation (Km 10.30) remain unresolved due to objections from power plants.
These facilities reportedly oppose increasing the BDC’s capacity from 15,000 to 37,555 cusecs, preventing full completion of the project. Successive governments have failed to resolve this issue, leaving lakhs of people in Vijayawada and nearby mandals vulnerable to the continuing flood threat. To date, only eight of the fifteen planned structures as part of the BDC’s improvement have been completed. Of the 15 structures planned, only 8 have been completed, including the railway bridges at Km 7.300. Four structures (DLRBs at Km 1.825, Km 4.200, Km 6.300, and SP at Km 4.800) were entrusted to M/s Vallabaneni Constructions and are still under progress. Additionally, the contract for concrete lining from Km 0.000 to Km 10.300 was awarded to M/s Sri Sai Lakshmi Constructions & Company on 13 March, 2019 for Rs 206.79 crore.
However, no substantial progress has been made in the last ten years except some minor works, leaving the region vulnerable to repeated flooding. Merging Budameru drain with Krishna River a crucial step Alongside the BDC, the government needs to focus on merging the original Budameru Drain, which flows through Vijayawada, into the Krishna River downstream of the Prakasam Barrage. This drain, which had a capacity to handle around 30,000 cusecs in the past, has seen its capacity reduced to 7,000 cusecs due to encroachments. Removing these encroachments and restoring the drain to its full capacity is essential. If the BDC receives more than 37,555 cusecs of floodwater, this drain could serve as an additional safeguard by channeling excess water to the sea via the Krishna River.
Reservoir at Velagaleru for additional flood management : Experts also recommend constructing a reservoir above the Velagaleru regulator to better manage floodwaters. Extending the Budameru Drain from Vijayawada’s suburbs to Kolleru Lake is another proposal that would enhance flood control for the region. Region awaiting relief : The Budameru drain, a key upland drainage system in the Kolleru basin, has two arms – one originating in Repudi village, A Konduru Mandal, and the other from Annaraopet village. These arms converge near Kuntamukkala in G Konduru Mandal. Additionally, the Pulivagu hill stream merges into Budameru, 2 km upstream from the Velagaleru regulator.
Flowing through Vijayawada Rural, Gannavaram and Gudivada Mandals, it empties into Kolleru in Kaikaluru Mandal. Covering a length of 130 km, Budameru’s catchment area spans 1,937 square kilometers. As future floods loom, citizens are now waiting for the State government to deliver on its promises and complete the long-overdue improvements to the Budameru Diversion Channel. Failure to act will only perpetuate the risk, threatening the lives and livelihoods of lakhs.