The Proposal: This is the second link to join Krishna with Pennar and envisages transfer of 2,310 Mcum of water.  In this link, no enroute irrigation is proposed. Four mini hydel schemes are proposed in the enroute reaches for utilizing the natural falls of the streams with total installed capacity of 17 MW of power. The water diverted to Pennar river through the link will be picked up at Somasila along with that diverted through Nagarjunasagar- Somasila link for further southward diversion from the river Pennar. The total length of the link canal will be 204 km. NWDA has completed the feasibility study of the proposal.     

Engineering Aspect: The link does not envisage construction of any dam or reservoir.  The water will be diverted from the existing Srisailam reservoir and let into Pennar river mostly through natural streams.  The total length of link canal from Srisailam reservoir to its confluence with Pennar is about 204 km.  The existing infrastructure of Srisailam canal system viz. approach channel, head regulator at Pothireddypadu, Srisailam right main canal and cross regulator at Banakacherla will be used for diverting the water.  The water from the Central escape of the Banakacherla cross regulator will be let into the natural streams viz. Nippulavagu, Galeru and Kunderu, till it reaches the Pennar river at Adinimmayapalli anicut.  The link canal is proposed to be operated for a period of 184 days and is designed for a discharge of 145 cumec. There is no enroute irrigation, since the areas are already covered under the existing and ongoing projects. However, it is proposed to install mini- hydel schemes enroute of the link canal for utilizing the natural falls for power generation with total installed capacity of 17 MW.

Environmental Issue: No new area will come under submergence due to this canal project as the existing Srisailam reservoir is used in this link proposal.     

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