The Telangana government has intensified efforts to move forward with the Sitarama Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme, with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directing officials to prioritize and expedite the project's environmental clearance process. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting on major irrigation projects in the erstwhile Khammam district held at Jalasoudha in Hyderabad. During the meeting, officials briefed the minister on the current status of the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project and the approvals required for its next phase. Authorities informed him that the project had already secured Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) clearance, also known as techno-economic approval, from the Central Water Commission.

However, certain environmental and forest-related permissions remain pending and are crucial for advancing construction and operational activities. Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized the need to remove administrative bottlenecks and ensure that the clearance process is pursued aggressively. He instructed officials to coordinate closely with relevant agencies so that approvals are obtained without unnecessary delays. The minister also stressed the importance of utilizing Godavari waters effectively. He said diverting water from the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project to the Paleru Balancing Reservoir through the NSP Left Canal system should be treated as a priority objective. The proposal is expected to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and improve water availability across several agricultural regions. Another significant issue discussed during the meeting was the extension of irrigation benefits to tribal and upland areas.

The minister gave in-principle approval to a proposal aimed at lifting water from Sitarama Lift Package-I to Bayyaram upland tribal regions in the Yellandu Assembly constituency. If implemented, the initiative could improve water access in areas that have historically faced irrigation challenges. The review also covered concerns related to the Polavaram project's backwater impact on Bhadrachalam Division. Uttam Kumar Reddy assured officials that the matter would be taken up with the Polavaram Project Authority and that a dedicated review meeting would be organized to explore possible solutions. Telangana has been focusing on strengthening irrigation infrastructure to improve agricultural productivity and ensure long-term water security.

Large-scale projects such as the Sitarama Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme are considered important for expanding irrigation coverage, supporting rural livelihoods and enhancing water management across the state. As part of the government's monitoring efforts, the minister announced plans to undertake a field visit to irrigation projects in the erstwhile Khammam district within the next two weeks. The proposed tour is expected to provide a ground-level assessment of ongoing works and help accelerate the implementation of pending projects. With environmental clearance now being pursued on priority, the Sitarama Sagar project is expected to remain a key focus area in Telangana's irrigation development strategy in the coming months.