Hyderabad: Telangana’s Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday announced that the government has sanctioned ₹162.57 crore for the construction of the Munneru-Paleru link canal. The project aims to enhance irrigation in Khammam, Suryapet, and Mahabubabad districts while mitigating recurring flood damage in the region.
The proposed canal will stretch 9.6 kilometres and is designed to handle a peak discharge of 4,500 cusecs. The initiative is part of the state’s efforts to harness natural water flows and redirect floodwaters for agricultural and drinking water use.
Project to stabilize 1.38 lakh acres, support Paleru reservoir
Once completed, the Munneru-Paleru link canal will stabilise irrigation for 1.38 lakh acres across the three districts. It will also secure water availability for 40 acres of NSP ayacut located upstream of the Paleru reservoir.
According to the minister, the state loses nearly 50 TMC of floodwater from the Munneru stream each year. The new canal will divert this water for productive use, including irrigation and drinking water supply under Mission Bhagiratha.
Multiple lift schemes to benefit from improved water flow
Water from a check dam in Mulkanoor village, Garla mandal, Mahabubabad district, will be diverted through the link canal. This will strengthen the Sriramsagar Project Stage-2 and increase water supply under the Bhakta Ramadasu Lift Irrigation Scheme.
Minister Reddy said the project will ensure additional irrigation for 70,308 acres under DBM-60 and continuous supply to 46,712 acres in Suryapet through the Mothey Lift Irrigation Scheme via DBM-71.
The project is also expected to reduce the operational burden of the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project by lowering power consumption costs. In addition, surplus water from Paleru reservoir will enable 2 MW of hydroelectric power generation at the downstream hydel plant.