Khammam irrigation projects in Mission Mode

Reiterating the government's commitment to irrigation development despite financial constraints, the Minister said priority would be given to diverting Godavari waters from the Sitarama project to the Paleru Balancing Reservoir 

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday directed officials to accord top priority to securing environmental clearance for the Sitarama Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme and expedite all pending works related to major irrigation projects in the erstwhile Khammam district.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at Jalasoudha, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Thummala Nageswara Rao, Vakiti Srihari and public representatives, Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to remove all bottlenecks delaying project execution.

The Minister stressed that issues relating to land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement, forest and environmental clearances, and court cases must be resolved with priority. He directed officials to submit all pending requisitions to district authorities for time bound action and ensure that contractors do not cite land related issues as reasons for delays.

Reviewing the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, Uttam noted that the project had already secured Techno Economic Clearance from the Central Water Commission and called for intensive efforts to obtain the remaining environmental approvals. He also directed officials to closely monitor cases pending before courts, including the Supreme Court, and ensure effective legal representation.

Reiterating the government's commitment to irrigation development despite financial constraints, the Minister said priority would be given to diverting Godavari waters from the Sitarama project to the Paleru Balancing Reservoir through the NSP Left Canal system, benefiting tail end and water scarce regions. Uttam also directed officials to expedite land acquisition for the Munneru Paleru Link Canal and approved, in principle, a proposal to provide irrigation water to Bayyaram upland tribal areas in Yellandu constituency.

Addressing concerns over Polavaram project backwaters affecting Bhadrachalam Division, he assured public representatives that the issue would be taken up with the Polavaram Project Authority. The Minister also announced a comprehensive tour of irrigation projects in the erstwhile Khammam district within a fortnight to review progress on the ground. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka assured full support and timely release of funds for project completion.