Why in News?

Recently, the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) has announced Operation SWARNA to rescue the River Swarnamukhi.

• Name – Operation SWARNA (Swarnamukhi Waterbody Action for River and Nala Awareness)
• Initiative by – Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA)
• Task Force – To be headed by the TUDA Vice-Chairman, inspired by the HYDRAA model in Hyderabad.
• Objective – Rescue River Swarnamukhi from encroachments.
  • Revive its flow and rejuvenate the river.
  • Ensure sustainable ecosystem and waterbody protection.
• Concerns raised – Erstwhile ruling party leaders occupied streams, canals and fake adjoining survey numbers were used for registrations.
• Floods of 2021 exposed the fraud, leaving victims without homes or documents.

• Project initiation – To kickstart the project  formal Bhumi Puja will be performed soon at Mukkoti Agastheswara temple, the confluence of three rivers near Thondavada.
• Coordination – TUDA,
  • Irrigation department,
  • Survey department and Revenue departments.
• Plan of action – Drone Survey Planned from Thondavada to Srikalahasti (50–70 km stretch).
  • Purpose of the survey – Fix river boundaries.
  • Mark 50 metres on either side of the flow area.
  • Identify encroachments clearly.
• Public outreach – Whistle-blowers and victims invited to file complaints.
  • Complaints can be lodged against officials and representatives (from Sarpanch to MLA) involved in land misuse.
• Tourism & beautification plans –
  • Riverfront beautification – To develop a tourist hub at Tiruchanur, near Goddess Padmavathi Ammavari temple.
  • A tunnel construction to slow down water flow, allowing devotees to wash hands and feet before visiting the temple.
• Projects importance – Greatly enhances both cultural and tourism value.
• The project is the first such massive operation taken up in the State to free water bodies from encroachers.

Reference

The Hindu| Operation Swarna