Progress has been made on the Paleru Link Canal, Sathupalli Trunk Canal, and Enkuru Link Canal, with land acquisition completed and environmental approvals for tunnel construction underway

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telangana government has devised plans to complete the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project and Sitamma Sagar Multipurpose Project to enhance agricultural development in the erstwhile Khammam district. Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that both projects aim to provide irrigation water to 7.80 lakh acres.

A high-level review meeting attended by key officials, including Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao, and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy affirmed quick action on the projects.  Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the previous administration failed to secure water allocations for the Sitarama Project. However, within 16 months, the Congress government convinced the Central Water Commission to allocate 67 TMC of water.

Three pump houses have already been completed, while the fourth is under construction, with 97 percent of the work finished. Progress has been made on the Paleru Link Canal, Sathupalli Trunk Canal, and Enkuru Link Canal, with land acquisition completed and environmental approvals for tunnel construction underway.

Regarding the Sitamma Sagar Multipurpose Project, he said environmental approvals are being fast-tracked. Legal measures are being pursued to overturn a Rs 53.41 crore fine imposed by the National Green Tribunal. A 282.8 MW hydroelectric power plant linked to the project has also been proposed to GENCO.

The government remains committed to utilizing Godavari waters to benefit farmers. Former Illendu MLA Gummadi Narsaiah’s proposals are under review, with feasibility assessments in progress before a final decision is made.