The Proposal: A quantum of 12,165 Mcum is proposed for diversion through the link taking off at Manibhadra reservoir on Mahanadi to Dowlaiswaram Barrage on Godavari.  This link will provide enroute irrigation benefits to the tune of 4.43 lakh hectares, of which 0.91 lakh hectares in Andhra Pradesh and 3.52 lakh hectares in Orissa.  In this process it will utilize 3,790 Mcum of water.  A provision of 802 Mcum is made for domestic and industrial water requirement enroute.  The total length of the link canal is about 828 km including 6.15 km.of length through a tunnel. The total transmission loss of the link canal is worked out to be 1073 Mcum and proposes to transfer the remaining 6,500 Mcum of water to Godavari river for taking care of the water demands of further South. There is also a provision to generate 445 MW of hydropower at Manibhadra dam in this link canal proposal.

Engineering Aspect: A dam across the river Mahanadi in Orissa at Manibhadra as contemplated by the Government of Orissa is considered for diversion of water from Mahanadi to Godavari.  The gross and live storages of the reservoir are 8,520 Mcum and 6,608 Mcum respectively.   The diverted water will be received at the existing Sir Arthur Cotton (SAC) Barrage on Godavari at Dowlaiswaram in Andhra Pradesh.  The total length of the link canal is about 828 km with FSLs at head and tail ponds being 74.00 m and 15.82 m, respectively.  The designed discharge of the canal at the head is 802 cumecs and the canal is proposed to be operated throughout the year. 

Environmental Issue: The Manibhadra reservoir will submerge a total area of 63,003 ha at FRL 86.0 m.  Under this reservoir, forest area to the extent of 9,520 ha is likely to be submerged.  About 79,000 persons will be affected by the proposed Manibhadra reservoir submergence.

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