AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to start work on replacement of 117 gates of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage on July 13

View of the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage across the Godavari at Dowleswaram. | Photo Credit: Photo File

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will perform ‘bhumi puja’ for renovation work at Gate No. 1 of Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage across Godavari at Pitchuka Lanka in Dr. District on Monday. BR Ambedkar Konaseema.

Mr. Naidu will start work at a cost of ₹ 152.95 crore to replace 117 gates of the barrage as recommended by the Dam Safety Assessment Panel and the Central Water Commission.

Spanning between Dowleswaram and Vijjeswaram in East Godavari, the 5,837 km dam is expected to be completed in 2013-1 in BR Ambedkar Konaseema districts, providing irrigation water to 10 thousand acres in the Godavari delta.

Designed by British irrigation engineer Sir Arthur Cotton, the Anicut was commissioned in 1852. The existing barrage was constructed at the anicut in 1969. A total of 58 gates were replaced during the 2014-15 financial year at a cost of ₹31.77 million.

The state government has given sanction to the administration to renovate the dam in 2025. “Hyderabad-based M/s BEKEM Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd will undertake the renovation project which is expected to be completed by July 2028,” said an official release issued by East Godavari District Collector Kirthi Chekuri.

The Chief Minister will also interact with the farmers of the Godavari delta after the ceremony at the barrage.

Fishing rights

Meanwhile, an inquiry into the fishing rights of local communities at the barrage is underway following a dispute over the issue after the bifurcation of the merged East Godavari district.

East Godavari District Joint Collectors and Dr. BR Ambedkar Konaseema has so far held two rounds of talks with local communities to resolve the matter.

Published – 12 July 2026 19:00 IST