Hyderabad: The Centre has granted technical clearance for the integrated Sitarama–Seethamma Sagar lift irrigation project, paving the way for its expedited execution and potential Central financial assistance. The approval was accorded during the 158th meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Central Water Commission (CWC), chaired by Union Water Resources Secretary Debashree Mukherjee in New Delhi on Thursday.
The project, which consolidates the previously cancelled Rajiv and Indira Sagar lift schemes initiated in undivided Andhra Pradesh, aims to utilise 67.05 TMC of Godavari river water. It will provide irrigation and drinking water to 7.87 lakh acres across Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam, and Mahabubabad districts, while also stabilising existing ayacuts under Nagarjunasagar, Wyra, and Palair projects by up to 25%.
Key features of the project include:
– 11 pump houses with a total load of 757 MW
– 15-metre-wide, 15/16-metre-high radial gates (67 in total) across a 1332.75-metre-long barrage
– Full Reservoir Level (FRL): 63 metres
– Storage capacity: 36.57 TMC
– Hydropower generation capacity: 282.80 MW
The estimated cost of the Seethamma Sagar project, as of June 2023, is ₹19,955 crore, including ₹927 crore allocated for hydropower. With a benefit-cost ratio of 1.57, the project has already seen 57% of works completed, with ₹11,320 crore spent so far. The Telangana government aims to complete the project by the upcoming Rabi season.
This technical nod follows months of detailed scrutiny. The Central Water Commission had earlier deferred its approval, citing the need for a re-evaluation of designs in light of the Medigadda barrage issues. A coordinated response from Telangana’s irrigation department, led by Chief Engineer Srinivas Reddy, eventually resolved all queries, with final designs submitted by Central Design Organisation engineers and accepted by CWC.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR), prepared after CWC suggested integrating Seethamma Sagar with the Sitarama project, was thoroughly reviewed across various central directorates, including the Ministry of Jal Shakti, GRMB, and CEA. With environmental clearance secured and pending NGT litigation resolved, the project is now headed for investment clearance, which will unlock Central funding.
Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy welcomed the decision and thanked the Union government for granting the long-awaited approval. He, along with Irrigation Secretary Rahul Bojja and advisor Adityanath Das, made multiple representations in Delhi to push the proposal forward. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had also submitted a formal appeal to the Union Minister.
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu expressed happiness over the development, noting that the project would turn thousands of barren acres in Khammam into fertile land. He called it a fulfilment of a long-cherished dream of the people and farmers of the region. He also credited Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy’s persistent efforts for the clearance.
With this approval, the Seethamma Sagar barrage becomes the first major post-statehood irrigation project in Telangana to combine irrigation and hydropower components on such a scale.
