Farmers demand Sitarama Project tunnel boost

■ Two-km under-tunnel work still pending in project

■ Sitarama project targets irrigation for 7 lakh acres

■ Only Rs 336 crore allocated, farmers demand more

■ Rs 25 lakh per acre compensation demand intensifies

metro india news  I khammam

The demand to speed up crucial works in the Sitarama irrigation project gained momentum on Sunday, with the Telangana Rythu Sangham urging the government to immediately begin construction of an under tunnel at Cheemalapadu and Papakollu hillocks. The call was made by district secretary Bonthu Rambabu after a field inspection of the proposed tunnel alignment.

A team of the farmers’ association visited Cheemalapadu and examined the hill ranges where the under tunnel is planned, along with the ongoing works of the Sitarama project. Addressing the media, Rambabu said that the under tunnel between Cheemalapadu in Karepalli mandal and Papakollu in Julurupadu mandal is a key component for completing the project and must be taken up without further delay.

He stated that the Sitarama project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to farmlands across multiple mandals in Khammam district, including Kamepalli, Karepalli, Raghunadhapalem, Khammam Rural, Thirumalayapalem, and Kusumanchi. Additionally, it is aimed at supplying water to nearly 2.5 lakh acres under the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut, making it a critical irrigation lifeline.

“Instead of initiating long-pending and essential works like the under tunnel, the government is focusing only on digging mud canals. This is surprising and unacceptable,” Rambabu said. He added that the proposed under tunnel is expected to stretch for about two kilometres and is vital for the project’s completion.

He further pointed out that although the Sitarama project has the potential to irrigate around seven lakh acres in the undivided Khammam district, the budget allocation remains inadequate. “Only Rs 336 crore has been allocated. The government must revise the budget proposals and significantly increase the funds to ensure timely completion,” he demanded.

Rambabu also called upon the three ministers representing Khammam district to take responsibility and ensure that the project is completed at the earliest. “There is a huge opportunity to supply Godavari waters to agricultural lands in their constituencies. The ministers must act decisively and deliver on this,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Telangana Rythu Sangham district vice-president Duggi Krishna and Agricultural Workers’ Union district vice-president Kondeboina Nageswara Rao raised concerns over compensation issues related to land acquisition for canal construction. They alleged disparities in compensation being offered to farmers.

“It is not right to fix different land prices for different farmers. There should be no discrimination. All affected farmers must be paid Rs 25 lakh per acre as compensation,” they demanded.

The leaders also stressed that displaced families should not face any injustice in compensation and rehabilitation. Several local leaders, including mandal secretary Vajja Ramarao and members Maddela Nagaiah, Erripothu Bhadraiah, Surapaka Dhanamma, Daravath Vinod, and Madapati Rajesh, were present during the inspection and expressed support for the demands.