Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao on Wednesday said the State government would pursue environmental clearance for the Seethamma Sagar project with the Centre. He said the government wanted to resume construction at the earliest.
Tummala met Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy at the Secretariat. They reviewed pending issues related to the Seetharama Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Seethamma Sagar project.
The Agriculture Minister said work had remained stalled since March 2023. He attributed the delay to issues linked to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), which are pending before the Supreme Court.
Further, Tummala said the State government was working at all levels to resolve the legal issues and secure environmental clearance. He added that the government would coordinate with Union Ministries and Central officials to expedite approvals.
The Minister said the government would restart construction immediately after securing the required clearances. He added that the project would provide irrigation to thousands of acres in Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts.
Seethamma Sagar project review covers irrigation upgrades
Meanwhile, the ministers discussed a proposal to increase the storage capacity of Domalavagu between Pump House-1 and Pump House-2 from 0.20 TMC to 0.50 TMC. Tummala said the proposal would improve the efficiency of the Seetharama Lift Irrigation Scheme. He added that Uttam Kumar Reddy responded positively.
They also reviewed the proposal to install escape regulators between Pump Houses 1, 2 and 3 on the main canal. Tummala said the regulators would control excess flood flows and protect the canal during the monsoon. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to carry out the required technical studies.
Further, Tummala said workers had completed excavation of the Yathalakunta tunnel on the Sathupalli trunk canal. They are now carrying out the lining works. He said they would complete the tunnel by August 2026 and make it ready for water release. Uttam Kumar Reddy also assured early release of pending construction bills.
The ministers reviewed pending land acquisition compensation under the project. Tummala sought immediate release of compensation. Uttam Kumar Reddy assured him that the department would take the required action.
Besides, Tummala proposed a piped irrigation network instead of conventional distributary canals in Ashwaraopeta and Sathupalli constituencies, where oil palm cultivation is widespread. He asked officials to prepare detailed proposals.
The Minister also urged officials to restart the Julurupadu tunnel works without delay. He said the project would help supply water to the Paleru reservoir. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to complete the works within the stipulated timeline.
Both ministers reiterated that the government would resolve all pending issues in the Seetharama and Seethamma Sagar projects. They said the State remained committed to delivering irrigation benefits to farmers in Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts at the earliest.
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