British-era irrigation locks in Godavari delta to open for tourism

The District Tourism Council is all set to document the building infrastructure and assess the structural stability of the irrigation locks along the banks of irrigation channels in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district to throw them open for tourism activities. 

Built by the British during the 1850s in the Godavari Delta, the Irrigation Locks continue to be an essential system to regulate the distribution of the Godavari water in the Godavari Delta after water is released into the respective Deltas from the Sir Arthur Cotton barrage at Dowleswaram.

The irrigation locks play a pivotal role in the distribution and conservation of the river water meant for agriculture. The personnel deployed at the irrigation lock are also tasked with guarding against illegal diversion of the Godavari water for aquaculture ponds. 

Locals gather in the evening at an irrigation lock at Sakhinetipalli in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district.
| Photo Credit:
T. APPALA NAIDU

Major locks

In Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, which falls in the Central and Western Detla, Lolla, Choppella, Mukkamala, Vijjeswaram and Sakhinetipalli Lanka locks are known for their scenic beauty with various administrative buildings, mostly built during the British-era. Most of them now stand abandoned despite their sound structure. 

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District Tourism Council, led by District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar met recently to explore the possibilities of reopen the building infrastructure facilities at the irrigation locks open for tourism. 

“The District Tourism Promotion Council will document all the irrigation locks, buildings and the availability of land to highlight the tourism potential. A detailed feasibility report will be prepared on the irrigation locks and building structures stability by February 15,” said Mr. Mahesh Kumar. 

The Collector has also asked the council to plan boating races in the irrigation canals to attract tourists to the Konaseema region. 

By the end of February, the council is expected to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the potential of temple tourism at five major temples in Konaseema region, which also include the Sri Lakhsmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Antarvedi, and the Bhimeswara Swamy temple in Draksharamam, a protected monument of the Archaeological Survey of India.