Sat Feb 15 19:06:18 UTC 2025: ## Visakhapatnam Canal Repairs Delayed Due to Valve Leak and Election Code

**Visakhapatnam, February 16, 2025** – Repairs to the crucial Yeleru Left Main Canal (YLMC), the primary water source for Visakhapatnam, have been postponed until at least February 20th. The Visakhapatnam Industrial Water Supply Corporation (VIWSCO) had planned to begin the ₹7.99 crore project on February 15th to improve the canal’s capacity ahead of the summer.

However, the work was delayed due to a valve leak at the Yeleru reservoir, which is being addressed by the Irrigation Department. The repair work requires complete water stoppage from the reservoir, currently impossible due to the leak. Additionally, the ongoing Model Code of Conduct for the MLC elections necessitates permission from the Election Commission before commencing the repairs. VIWSCO is awaiting this approval.

VIWSCO Director P. Sivaprasad Raju assured that alternative water arrangements are in place to ensure no drinking water shortage during the repair period, which is expected to conclude by March. The GVMC will draw water from alternative sources, including the Meghadrigedda reservoir and the RINL-VSP’s Kaniti Balancing Reservoir-I, to maintain its current supply of 42 MGD. The YLMC’s closure will not impact the city’s industrial needs, according to Raju.

The YLMC repairs are part of a larger ₹100 crore state government project encompassing remaining works of package-8 of the Polavaram Left Main Canal (PLMC). During the canal’s closure, VIWSCO will also undertake additional maintenance work, including the removal of bushes to further enhance the canal’s capacity.

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