Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to fast-track irrigation project clearances for four major projects. He set a six-month target to secure environmental approvals for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), Sitarama Sagar, Dindi and Gouravelli.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the recent Supreme Court judgment had created an opportunity to pursue pending environmental clearances. Accordingly, he asked officials to coordinate with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other statutory authorities.
The Minister said projects with valid environmental clearances would continue to remain protected. Meanwhile, officials should process pending applications in line with the Supreme Court’s directions. He also directed them to review previously rejected proposals and resubmit eligible cases after rectifying technical and procedural deficiencies.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana’s sustained legal efforts led to the landmark judgment. He directed the department to strengthen its Inter-State Wing with technical, environmental and legal experts.
Irrigation project clearances put on fast track
The Minister laid down a phased roadmap for securing the clearances. Officials must appoint nodal officers and consolidate all records within seven days. Further, they should complete environmental studies, compliance reports and legal documents within 30 days. They must finish application processing within 60 days.
He instructed officials to submit weekly progress reports. Senior officers will review progress every month. Uttam Kumar Reddy also asked officials to maintain complete records on every project’s environmental, legal and administrative history.
The Minister directed officials to complete environmental studies, rehabilitation plans, forest clearance documents and land acquisition records before making major design changes.
Gouravelli and Sitarama projects get priority
Reviewing the Gouravelli Project, Uttam Kumar Reddy directed engineers to keep the pump house ready for operation. In addition, they must inspect the left and right canal systems, remove bottlenecks and prepare estimates for essential works.
He said the immediate priority was to make the main canal network capable of carrying water at the earliest.
For the Sitarama Sagar Project, the Minister directed officials to update environmental studies and complete all documentation without delay. They should also keep engineering plans ready so work can resume immediately after receiving the required approvals.
He instructed officials to pursue clearances for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme and Dindi with the same urgency. Each project will have a dedicated team to manage documentation, coordinate with Union authorities and pursue legal matters.
Polavaram backwater studies to be accelerated
The meeting also reviewed the likely impact of Polavaram backwaters on Telangana. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to conduct scientific studies to assess possible submergence of land, habitations and public infrastructure.
He said Telangana must support its claims with technical studies, field data and financial assessments. Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said the State should present the impact on the erstwhile Khammam district before the Polavaram project becomes fully operational.
The Minister directed officials to complete pending assessments, convene coordination meetings and submit Telangana’s claims before the competent authorities.
Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Ponnam Prabhakar, MP Balaram Naik, Advocate Shravan Kumar, ENC (General) O.V. Ramesh Babu, Joint Secretary Srinivas, ENC (Administration) P. Srinivas, ENC (O&M) R. Madhusudhan Rao and senior officials attended the meeting.