Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday directed officials to accelerate Devadula works, ordered round-the-clock operation of all pumping units and announced the release of ₹146 crore to speed up the project.
The Minister reviewed the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme along with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Revenue and Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, senior engineers and officials. Meanwhile, the team conducted a field inspection of the project.
Uttam directed officials to maximise pumping from the Godavari and fill all 22 reservoirs to their gross storage capacity. Accordingly, he said the government was strengthening water security measures to tackle the rainfall deficit.
At present, seven pumping units are operating with Godavari inflows of around 20,000 cusecs. However, Uttam said all 10 pumps could lift about 0.23 TMC of water every day. He said they could transfer one TMC in about four-and-a-half days.
Devadula works to finish by December 2027
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to complete the project by December 2027. Further, he instructed engineers and contractors to prepare package-wise completion schedules. He also ordered monthly progress reviews for every package.
Uttam said the government was fast-tracking land acquisition, statutory approvals and pending clearances. Additionally, he said officials had deployed extra manpower and machinery to accelerate construction. He assured that funds would not become a constraint.
The Minister said the project would deliver its full benefits after all three phases are complete. Once finished, it will irrigate nearly 5.6 lakh acres. It will also supply drinking water to several districts in northern Telangana.
The project covers 16 packages across three phases. Moreover, it includes 642 km of pipelines, 57.16 km of tunnels, 306 km of main canals and a 2,185 km distributary network.
Uttam said engineers had completed 87.70 per cent of the physical work. Although most pump houses, pipelines and tunnel excavation are ready, canal lining, distributary works and pending land acquisition continue to delay completion.
The Minister also said the government would begin rehabilitation of the Kaleshwaram barrages after receiving approval for the final repair designs. Meanwhile, he reiterated that Telangana would follow National Dam Safety Authority recommendations while operating the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said the Devadula project remained one of the government’s highest priorities. Likewise, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said officials had placed land acquisition on the fast track to ensure timely completion.
Uttam Orders Faster Execution of Devadula works, Announces Rs 146 Crore Release
Says All Devadula pumps must run round the clock
Group of Ministers visit the project, take a ground review
Water Security measures stepped up to address possible rainfall deficit
Project to be… pic.twitter.com/XmGG9asSjh
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) July 13, 2026