Hyderabad: Telangana Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao set a deadline for Sathupalli trunk canal works and directed officials to ensure Godavari water supply to ayacut areas before the monsoon.
He issued the instructions during a field inspection from Thotti Pump House to Yatlakunta under the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project. The minister reviewed progress with officials and public representatives.
He asked engineering teams to remove delays and intensify execution. The 43-km canal will irrigate 1.46 lakh acres. Officials have already completed works worth ₹600 crore out of the ₹700 crore estimate.
The minister told officials to complete the remaining 30 metres of the Yatlakunta terminal within 15 days. He also asked teams to finish key structures before flood inflows in the Godavari.
Further, he instructed authorities to complete all pending structural works by the end of May. In addition, he stressed that teams must finish tunnel-related works ahead of the monsoon.
He said the government has already released land acquisition funds. Therefore, officials must escalate any legal or land issues to district collectors immediately.
Sathupalli trunk canal works target completion before monsoon
He stressed coordination between Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts, as project works span both regions. Officials from irrigation, forest, and police departments must work together to avoid delays.
Highlighting progress, he said the government completed the Yatlakunta tunnel within two years after taking a decision. In contrast, he noted that the previous administration delayed the work.
He added that the Rajiv Canal stabilisation has already provided water to 1.35 lakh acres. According to him, authorities can divert Godavari water to Wyra ayacut and mandals such as Thallada, Kalluru, and Penuballi.
The minister said the Sathupalli canal will supply water to Vemsur and Dammapeta mandals. He added that completion of the fourth pump house will extend water supply to Aswaraopeta and Dammapeta.
He said this will complete a 110-km canal network and benefit eight constituencies.
The government is also focusing on completing the Julurupadu tunnel to supply water to the Paleru region. Plans aim to irrigate 16,500 acres in Pinapaka through the Marellapadu Lift Irrigation scheme.
Officials have already invited tenders for distributary canals. The minister directed them to speed up land acquisition and complete works within timelines.
Speed up Sathupalli Trunk Canal Works; Ensure Godavari Water Supply by Monsoon: Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao
Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation, Marketing and Handlooms @Tummala_INC directed officials to accelerate the works of the Sathupalli trunk canal under the Sitarama… pic.twitter.com/4FNFSnhqlE
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) April 22, 2026