Boats stuck at Prakasam Barrage to be cut into pieces under Plan B

VIJAYAWADA: Officials have decided to implement Plan B after the failure of the initial operation to remove large boats stuck at Prakasam Barrage.

The first attempt using heavy cranes to shift the boats did not succeed, as the boats, lodged against the barrage gates, remained unmoved. The boats, each weighing over 20 tonnes, had become entangled with one another and were filled with sand, adding extra pressure. Even after five hours of continuous effort with cranes capable of lifting 50 tonnes, no progress was made, leading to the decision to halt the work for the day.

As part of Plan B, divers from Visakhapatnam are being called in to help. These experts will enter the water and cut the submerged boats into smaller pieces using specialised cutters. The divers are expected to reach the site tomorrow morning and begin the removal process. After the boats are cut, officials will decide whether to send the pieces downstream with the water flow or lift them out with cranes and move them away from the barrage.

The issue began on September 1 when four large boats, coming from upstream, damaged the counterweights at gates 67, 68, and 69 of the barrage. Currently, over 2 lakh cusecs of water are flowing downstream, and the removal process is continuing despite the strong flow. Staff have also closed gates 68 and 69 to manoeuvre the boats into position for removal.