Telangana sets time-bound plan to complete Gouravelli irrigation project
Telangana’s Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has directed officials to resolve approvals, land acquisition and rehabilitation issues affecting the Gouravelli project. The reservoir is nearly 98% complete, but environmental clearance, canal works and legal proceedings must be addressed before irrigation benefits can reach the planned 1.06 lakh acres.
The Telangana government has renewed efforts to complete the Gouravelli irrigation project by addressing pending approvals, land acquisition and rehabilitation issues under a time-bound programme, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said. Chairing a review meeting in Hyderabad on Saturday, Reddy said the project should deliver irrigation to its intended ayacut of 1.06 lakh acres.
Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and senior Revenue and Irrigation officials attended the meeting. Reddy instructed officials to prepare a clear work schedule, process eligible compensation claims promptly and escalate financial, administrative and legal obstacles. He said the reservoir works were nearly 98% complete, but stressed that the project also needed a functioning canal and distributary network to carry water to farms.
The project, at Akkannapet mandal in Siddipet district, forms part of the Indiramamma Flood Flow Canal project based on the Sriramsagar Project. Its original construction agreement dates to May 2008. The reservoir capacity was later increased from 1.410 tmc ft to 8.230 tmc ft under a supplementary agreement signed in December 2017.
The expanded work did not proceed because required approvals and clearances were absent, the minister said. The National Green Tribunal restrained further construction after proceedings linked to the expansion without prior clearance during the previous BRS regime. Expenditure so far totals ₹1,343.59 crore, including ₹886.76 crore on works and ₹456.83 crore on land acquisition and rehabilitation.
A further ₹114.39 crore is needed for completion. The revised reservoir estimate of ₹1,457.979 crore is to be sent to the Chief Secretary for consideration by the Cabinet. Officials told the meeting that environmental-impact assessment documents, an environmental-management plan, public-hearing reports and three-season baseline data had been uploaded to the PARIVESH portal.
Reddy directed them to complete preparations for an October 8 appraisal meeting and submit updated records before the NGT’s October 16 hearing.
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