TL;DR
- Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to prioritize and fast-track environmental clearance for the Sitarama Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme.
- The project, located in Khammam district, already possesses Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC).
- While land acquisition is largely complete in some areas, certain forest clearances remain pending.
- A key directive is to prioritize diverting Godavari waters from Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project to the Paleru Balancing Reservoir via the NSP Left Canal system.
- Minister Reddy also gave in-principle approval to lift water from Sitarama Lift Package-I to the Bayyaram upland tribal areas in Yellandu Assembly constituency, following a proposal from Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy.
- The issue of submergence in Bhadrachalam Division due to Polavaram project backwaters will be addressed in a dedicated review meeting with the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA).
- The minister plans a comprehensive tour of irrigation projects in the erstwhile Khammam district within a fortnight to assess ground progress.
IN SHORTTelangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to fast-track environmental clearances for the Sitarama Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme. The move signals a renewed push for the crucial project in Khammam district, which already holds technical approval. The minister also outlined other key priorities and addressed the Polavaram backwater issue.
TL;DR
- Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to vigorously pursue and fast-track environmental clearance for the Sitarama Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme. This directive, issued during a recent review meeting on major irrigation projects in the erstwhile Khammam district, signals a renewed push for the crucial infrastructure development.
- The Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, designed to harness Godavari waters, has already secured Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) clearance, also known as Techno-Economic Clearance, from the Central Water Commission (CWC). While significant progress has been made in land acquisition across various project stretches, officials informed the Minister that certain forest clearances are still in process, presenting a critical hurdle that now requires expedited action.
- Minister Reddy underscored the importance of diverting Godavari waters from the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project to the Paleru Balancing Reservoir through the NSP Left Canal system, designating this as a top priority. This strategic move aims to enhance irrigation capabilities and water supply in the region, benefiting agricultural communities and ensuring water security.
- Further expanding the project's scope, the Irrigation Minister granted in-principle approval to a proposal from Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy. This initiative involves lifting water from Sitarama Lift Package-I to the Bayyaram upland tribal areas within the Yellandu Assembly constituency, addressing long-standing needs of these communities.
- Addressing another pressing concern, Minister Reddy assured that the issue of submergence in Bhadrachalam Division, caused by the backwaters of the Polavaram project, would be taken up with the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA). A dedicated review meeting is slated to be convened shortly to find viable solutions for the affected areas and residents.
- To ensure on-ground progress and accountability, the Minister announced his intention to undertake a comprehensive tour of irrigation projects throughout the erstwhile Khammam district. This inspection, scheduled within a fortnight, will allow for a direct assessment of the work being carried out and facilitate immediate problem-solving.
