Chitravathi River Explained

The Chitravathi is an inter-state river in southern India that is a tributary of the Penna River. Rising in Karnataka, it flows into Andhra Pradesh and its basin covers an area of over 5,900 km2. The pilgrim town of Puttaparthi is located on its banks.

Course

Chitravathi river originates at Chikkaballapur and flows through the Chikkaballapur district of Karnataka before entering Andhra Pradesh where it drains the districts of Anantapur and Cuddapah before joining the Penna river.[1] The Chitravathi river basin covers an area of 5,908 km2.[2] The mandals that it drains in the two states are Bagepalli, Gorantla, Hindupur, Puttaparthi, Bukkapatnam, Dharmavaram, Tadipatri and Mudigubba.[3] The river joins the Penna at Gandikota in Kadapa district where the Gandikota irrigation project is being undertaken by the Government of Andhra Pradesh as part of its Jalayagnam project.[4] [5] Chitravathi is a seasonal river that comes alive after the monsoons.[6] Along with the Papagni, it forms a part of the middle Penna sub-basin and is a right bank tributary of the Penna.[7]

Paragodu project

The proposal to build a barrage at Paragodu by the Government of Karnataka has been opposed by politicians from Andhra Pradesh who argue that the move is likely to affect the availability of water for the various tank irrigation projects that exist in the Andhra districts.[8] [9]

Ecological issues

Sand mining, much of it illegal, is rampant in the Chitravathi basin and this has resulted in severe depletion of groundwater resources in the region.[10]

Religious significance

Chitravathi is also known as the Deva Kanya and it flows through the pilgrim town of Puttaparthi, the place of Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba. It is considered sacred by many people on account of its association with Sathya Sai Baba.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Captivating beauty of River Chitravathi. 8 July 2013. Deccan Herald. 14 September 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402165933/http://archive.deccanherald.com/Content/Sep142008/district2008091389858.asp. 2 April 2015. dead.
  2. Web site: Re-using Irrigation Drainage Gonchi Irrigation System in Penna River Basin. Centre for World Solidarity. 8 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114423/http://www.cwsy.org/html/small_gonchi_irrigation_system.pdf. 2 April 2015. dead.
  3. Book: Narasaiah, M. Lakshmi. Financing Of Weaker Sections By Regional Rural Banks. 1999. Discovery Publishing House. New Delhi. 32. 9788171414673.
  4. News: Floods in Pennar, Chitravathi. https://web.archive.org/web/20080729012526/http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071860460500.htm. dead. 29 July 2008. 8 July 2013. The Hindu. 18 July 2008.
  5. Web site: Anantapuram District. Government of Andhra Pradesh. 8 July 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130515233608/http://www.anantapur.gov.in/html/district-profile.htm. 15 May 2013.
  6. A fight over river waters. Frontline. 5–18 July 2003. 20. 14. 8 July 2013.
  7. Book: Jain, S. Sharad Kumar. Hydrology and Water Resources of India. 2007. Springer. Dondrecht, The Netherlands. 732. 9781402051807.
  8. News: Don't allow Chitravathi dam: Naidu. https://archive.today/20130708131515/http://hindu.com/2000/04/14/stories/0414201n.htm. dead. 8 July 2013. 8 July 2013. The Hindu. 14 April 2000.
  9. News: Another water dispute between AP and Karnataka — Paragodu project raises hackles. https://archive.today/20130708131513/http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2003/04/22/stories/2003042201661700.htm. dead. 8 July 2013. 8 July 2013. The Hindu Businessline. 22 April 2003.
  10. News: Illegal sand mining rampant in Chitravathi river basin. 8 July 2013. Deccan Herald. 20 June 2012.
  11. Web site: Chitravathi River, Puttaparthi, India. FirstPost. 8 July 2013.

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