Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to speed up works related to the Dindi lift irrigation scheme and complete pending technical clearances immediately.
The Minister reviewed the project after discussions with Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy at his chambers on Thursday. He instructed Irrigation Secretary E. Sridhar and ENC (General) Ramesh Babu to finalise the level fixation for drawing water from the Yedula Reservoir.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also directed officials to secure finance clearances for the barrage at Pothireddypalli village by May 15. According to him, immediate execution of the barrage works was necessary for speedy completion of the Dindi lift irrigation scheme.
The Minister further stressed the need to enhance the carrying capacity of the AMRP SLBC main canal from 2,400 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs before cement concrete lining works begin. He added that the capacity could later increase to 6,000 cusecs after project completion.
Dindi lift irrigation scheme targets fluoride villages
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government sanctioned Rs 443 crore for cement concrete lining of the SLBC high-level canal. However, he stated that widening the canal would receive priority before lining works.
The Minister said the Dindi lift irrigation scheme would solve water problems in seven Assembly constituencies covering 228 fluoride-affected villages. He added that the project would provide irrigation support to 3.61 lakh acres.
According to Uttam Kumar Reddy, the scheme included four online reservoirs and five offline reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 25.31 TMC.
He also said the head works were divided into four packages, including the Pothireddypalli barrage and a 16-km tunnel.
The Minister said nearly 95 per cent of the Dindi balancing reservoir works were complete. He added that the current government achieved a major share of that progress.
Dindi lift irrigation scheme awaits forest clearance
Uttam Kumar Reddy said a portion of the spillway remained incomplete because of submergence issues affecting three villages and 180.14 hectares of forest land in Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool districts.
He stated that the Stage-I forest clearance could arrive within a month. Therefore, the Minister instructed officials to call tenders immediately for erecting gates at the Dindi balancing reservoir.
The Minister also reviewed revised estimates for completing the Pendlipaka Balancing Reservoir. Furthermore, he supported placing the proposal before the high-powered committee and the State Cabinet during its next meeting.
Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Chairman, State Legislative Council, Gutha Sukender Reddy at a review with irrigation officials on Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme at Secretariat today.
P Anil Kumar, Photo Journalist pic.twitter.com/wVj9xW9cYF
— Uttam Kumar Reddy (@UttamINC) May 7, 2026