Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy had pushed Pranahita revival talks, directing officials to prepare technical proposals for discussions with Maharashtra on the Tummidihatti barrage.
He issued the direction during a high-level review meeting on the long-pending Pranahita–Chevella Lift Irrigation Project. The Pranahita revival talks will focus on resolving inter-state concerns and advancing the project.
The Minister asked officials to design the project by minimising submergence in Maharashtra and the Chaprala Wildlife Sanctuary. At the same time, he assured compensation for affected areas.
Pranahita revival talks focus on technical planning
Uttam Kumar Reddy stressed that all Pranahita revival talks must rely on detailed technical studies. Therefore, he directed officials to prepare cost-benefit analyses and explore alternative alignments.
He also asked the department to prioritise gravity-based water flow wherever feasible. This, he said, would reduce long-term operational costs.
The original Pranahita–Chevella plan proposed a barrage at Tummidihatti. It aimed to supply water through gravity canals to north Telangana and tail-end regions such as Chevella via Yellampalli.
Pranahita revival talks revisit project redesign
The Minister said the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi government had redesigned the project into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. He noted that while the redesign expanded ayacut, it increased dependence on power-intensive lifts.
He said the present government aimed to integrate existing infrastructure while restoring cost-efficient gravity flow. As a result, experts were studying four alternative alignments linking Tummidihatti to Yellampalli.
Teams from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad and RV Associates are examining these options. They aim to reduce land acquisition, pumping requirements and overall project cost.
Geological and geotechnical surveys are also underway. Meanwhile, the government is expediting repairs to Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages before the monsoon.
Officials are carrying out the works under guidance from the National Dam Safety Authority. Strict testing protocols and timelines have been put in place.