‘Govt committed to Sitarama project’

metro india news I Bhadradri Kothagudem/ Sathupalli:

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy today declared that the Congress Government was committed to completing the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, Sitamma Sagar Project and Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme during its present term.

He said irrigation had been accorded the highest priority by the State Government and assured that all administrative, financial and legal hurdles would be resolved to ensure timely completion of these projects.

Addressing a review meeting at the Sathupalli tunnel point after inspecting the Sitarama Project  along with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Government was accelerating works at every level.

On the Sithamma Sagar Project, the Minister said the project had been facing legal hurdles, including proceedings before the National Green Tribunal, even before the Congress Government assumed office. He said the State was pursuing the matter vigorously in the Supreme Court and expected a positive outcome. If necessary, the Government would continue its legal fight through a Special Leave Petition while simultaneously securing all pending Central clearances.

Highlighting a major achievement of the present Government, Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana had secured the final Central Water Commission clearance for utilisation of 67 TMC of Godavari water for the Sitarama Project after he assumed charge as Irrigation Minister. He said this approval would significantly strengthen the project's implementation.

The Minister also referred to the recent review of the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme and said that although the previous Government had spent enormous amounts on irrigation between 2014 and 2023, it had failed to complete Sitarama, Seethamma Sagar and Devadula projects.

He assured that all three projects would be completed during the Congress Government's tenure and that adequate Godavari waters would be utilised for irrigation.

The Minister announced that land acquisition for irrigation projects would receive the highest priority. He directed district collectors and irrigation officials to ensure speedy completion of land acquisition by promptly processing compensation payments.

Referring to the history of irrigation projects in the region, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress Government had earlier initiated the Rajiv Sagar and Indira Sagar projects, which could have achieved similar irrigation benefits at much lower cost if they had been completed on time.

Launching a sharp attack on the previous BRS Government, he alleged that despite massive publicity and claims over the past decade, the irrigation sector had been "completely damaged." He said that after assuming office as Irrigation Minister in December 2023 and conducting an in-depth review, the present Government found serious shortcomings in project execution and management.

The Minister accused the previous regime of making exaggerated claims about irrigation expansion while leaving several major projects incomplete. He also criticised attempts to blame the present Government for the problems in the Kaleshwaram project, stating that the barrages had developed structural issues during the tenure of the government that had built them.

Earlier in the day, Uttam Kumar Reddy had an on- ground review of the work progress on the Sitarama and Sitamma sagar projects in Bhadradri Kothagudem district along with Deputy Chief Minister, Bhatti Vikramarka and Minister for Revenue, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.

Speaking on the occasion he said the Government would ensure that the works on the projects progressed strictly in accordance with environmental laws, engineering standards and statutory procedures.

“The legal complications relating to the Seethamma Sagar Barrage will be resolved. After obtaining all required clearances, we will take the works forward and complete the project,” Uttam Kumar Reddy asserted.

Previous government began works without clearance

Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that the previous BRS Government had commenced the Seethamma Sagar Barrage works without obtaining the required environmental clearance.This resulted in intervention by the National Green Tribunal and subsequently led to prolonged legal complications.

The Minister maintained that the present Government would not repeat such mistakes. It would follow proper legal and technical procedures before resuming and completing the works. He said the Government’s objective was to construct a safe and sustainable barrage capable of providing long-term irrigation benefits, rather than rushing the works without securing mandatory approvals.

Godavari waters for Khammam Region

The Minister said the Government would make every possible effort to ensure the abundant flow of Godavari waters across the undivided Khammam district.

He said the district had strong and capable leadership and that the Government would work in coordination with local ministers, legislators, engineers and district officials to resolve land acquisition, environmental and technical issues.

He also cited the Palamuru-Rangareddy, Devadula, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima, Koilsagar, SLBC Tunnel, Dindi and Gouravelli projects as examples of works that remained incomplete when the Congress Government assumed office.

He referred to the shifting of the Pranahita-Chevella project from Tummidihatti to Medigadda and alleged that the project cost had increased enormously in the name of redesigning and re-engineering.

Kaleshwaram barrages to be restored scientifically

Speaking about the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Government was following the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority. He said the Medigadda barrage suffered structural distress on October 21, 2023, during the tenure of the previous government.

The NDSA had raised concerns about the design, construction, maintenance and foundations of the three barrages and advised the State Government not to impound water until investigations and rehabilitation were completed, he said.

The Government was therefore keeping the gates open and allowing the river to flow freely in accordance with the written directions of the dam safety authority. The investigations were being conducted with the involvement of IIT Bombay, AFRY India, the Central Water and Power Research Station, the National Geophysical Research Institute and other institutions.

“We will complete the testing and rehabilitation as quickly as possible. After the structures are certified safe, the three barrages will be brought back into operation,” he said.

Irrigation department strengthened

The Minister said the Congress Government had taken steps to restore discipline and streamline the functioning of the Irrigation Department.

More than 1,000 engineers and around 1,800 field-level personnel had been recruited, while long-pending promotions had also been provided, he noted.

Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated that the Government had no political motive in dealing with irrigation projects. Decisions would be guided by science, engineering, public safety and the interests of farmers.