Uttam seeks clearances, funds for irrigation projects

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite clearances and release funds for several long-pending irrigation projects in Telangana.

Uttam said he had submitted details of project progress, pending approvals and financial requirements to the Prime Minister during a meeting on Sunday. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Minister Vakiti Srihari were also present.

Speaking to the media in Delhi, Uttam said the State had sought early environmental clearances for the Palamuru-Rangareddy, Seethamma Sagar and Dindi projects. Successive governments had spent nearly Rs 50,000 crore on these schemes, but their progress had been delayed for years, partly due to a Supreme Court stay.

The Supreme Court had permitted authorities to receive applications and conduct environmental assessments. However, scrutiny by the Union Environment Ministry was taking several months. He urged the Prime Minister to intervene and expedite clearances.

Push for Tummidihatti, Sammakka clearances

Uttam said Telangana had sought an increase in the full reservoir level at Tummidihatti from 148 metres to 152 metres, supported by maps and data. The Central Water Commission had convened a meeting on the issue, while Revanth Reddy had met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to seek consent.

Telangana was willing to pay compensation for additional submergence, as determined by the Centre or Maharashtra, he said.

The Sammakka barrage had been completed and secured hydrological clearance, but an NOC from Chhattisgarh was required for its full utilisation. The State had obtained an IIT Kharagpur submergence report, deposited the fee for an additional Detailed Project Report (DPR) and agreed to pay compensation.

Uttam said the State had requested that the Sammakka DPR be examined under the guidelines prevailing when it was submitted. He would meet the Central Water Commission chairman on November 16 and accompany the Chief Minister to Chhattisgarh on November 17 to pursue the NOC.

Seeks Rs 10,856 crore in assistance

Telangana had sought Rs 5,856 crore for four irrigation schemes under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana for 2027. The proposals include Rs 5,183 crore for Seethamma Sagar, Rs 392 crore for Modikunta Vagu, Rs 178 crore for Chinna Kaleshwaram and Rs 103 crore for the Chanaka-Korata barrage.

The State had also sought an additional Rs 5,000 crore to complete projects that were 70% to 90% finished. The funds could be utilised by March 31, 2027, helping provide irrigation to new ayacuts and stabilise existing ones.

Uttam said Telangana had received Rs 1,457 crore under the Centre's 50-year interest-free loan scheme for capital investment, which has an overall allocation of Rs 2 lakh crore for States.

Funds sought for groundwater conservation

The Minister said the State had sought another Rs 5,000 crore in special assistance to conserve groundwater amid El Niño conditions and deficient rainfall. The Prime Minister was given the Central Ground Water Board's September 2026 report, rainfall data and short- and long-term action plans.

Uttam said adequate water had been stored in reservoirs to meet drinking water needs until the next monsoon. He appealed to farmers to avoid paddy cultivation during the current Yasangi season.

He said Modi had heard the State's submissions and assured it that the requests would be examined. Revanth Reddy also invited the Prime Minister to attend the Khelo India Youth Games being held in Telangana until November 22.

Rules out lifting water from Medigadda

Uttam ruled out lifting water from Medigadda, saying experts had found it infeasible under the present circumstances. He said reports had identified design and construction defects in the secant pile foundations of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.

Alleging that the previous government was responsible for the damage to Medigadda, he questioned the demand to lift water from the barrage. He also alleged that the previous government had shifted the Pranahita project from Tummidihatti to Medigadda after spending Rs 11,000 crore and completing 30% of the works to earn commissions. Godavari waters flowing downstream were currently being utilised through the Devadula and Sitarama lift irrigation schemes, he said.