We Must Show Visible Results In All Projects: Minister Uttam To Irrigation Officials

·         Uttam holds two-and-a-half-hour long meeting with irrigation officials

·         Congress Govt committed to revival of Pranahita Chevella project, construct barrage at Tummadihatti

Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday directed senior officials to accelerate progress across all ongoing irrigation projects, stressing that the government must deliver “visible results” as it would complete two years in office this December.

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He chaired a two-and-a-half-hour review meeting at Jala Soudha, where he examined issues ranging from water allocation clearances and tribunal hearings to desiltation works, land acquisition and restoration of damaged barrages.

Uttam Kumar Reddy placed top priority on the Sammakka Sarakka project, noting that the Central Water Commission has scheduled a meeting in Delhi on September 23 to decide on water allocation and Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) clearance. He asked officials to immediately submit the required simulation report on ayacut and pursue a no-objection certificate from the Chhattisgarh Government, which has already received the submergence report.

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He also instructed that applications for investment clearances for the Sitarama Sagar, Modikuntavagu, distributory systems of Chanaka-Korata, and the Chinna Kaleshwaram project be completed within a week so that the government can later approach the Centre for funding under the PMKSY scheme.

Reviewing the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) issues, the minister said another round of discussions would be held with Supreme Court lawyer C.S. Vaidyanathan ahead of hearings scheduled for September 23–25, which he himself will attend. He added that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy might also join if his schedule permits.

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On the restoration of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages, Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated that the government’s stand was “very clear”: rehabilitation works would proceed strictly as per the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report. He directed that reputed institutions like IITs be engaged for structural testing and asked officials to be ready with action plans once floodwaters recede. “We must act before the next monsoon to ensure safety and usability of these barrages,” he said.

Turning to the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita–Chevella Project at Tummidihatti, Uttam Kumar Reddy reminded officials that this was a Congress manifesto promise and the government was committed to implementing it. He asked for a revised DPR and draft proposal to be prepared without delay and to finalise the schedule for discussions with the Maharashtra Government.

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The minister emphasised that the Palamuru–Rangareddy project, along with Jurala, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima and Koilsagar, should be treated as the highest priority. He directed the Commissioner (Land Acquisition and R&R) to compile pending issues in land acquisition, rehabilitation and forest clearance for these projects, along with those for Dindi, SLBC, Pendlipakala and Nakkalagandi. Special stress was laid on expediting land acquisition for the Kodangal-Narayanpet project, which he said must receive “first priority.”

Reviewing the Jurala Project, Uttam directed officials to expedite the proposal for the construction of an alternative bridge to ease traffic congestion on the existing bridge. He pointed out that during his last visit to Jurala, he had promised an alternative bridge and directed officials to prepare proposals to implement that commitment. He also asked that a meeting be arranged with MLAs and MPs on Jurala to decide further action.

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On the Devadula project, the minister called for close monitoring of package 6 and package 3 works and said a progress report must be submitted by the next Cabinet meeting.

The meeting also discussed the national framework on desiltation and desedimentation of irrigation projects. Uttam said Telangana was the first state in the country to take up desiltation works on irrigation reservoirs, starting with Mid-Manair and Kadam. He has now asked officials to prepare proposals for similar works in Jurala, Nagarjuna Sagar, SRSP, Nizam Sagar, Hussainsagar and other projects. “In my opinion, desiltation alone can give the government about Rs 500 crore additional income. If extended to all reservoirs, this could fetch Rs 3,000-4,000 crore every year,” he remarked. He directed officials to prepare a detailed note on the revenue potential for submission to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on resource mobilisation.

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Later in the day, Uttam Kumar Reddy held a video conference with NGRI, Himalayan Heli Services and JP Associates to discuss arrangements for a heliborne aerial magnetic survey near the SLBC tunnel. He was informed that two helipads are already available near the site and can be used for the operations. He asked officials to expedite site studies while clearances, including those from the DGCA, are being processed.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also highlighted that, for the first time in three decades, promotions had been completed across all levels of the Irrigation Department – from Assistant Engineer up to Engineer-in-Chief. He said this would serve as motivation for staff to speed up ongoing works. To mark the occasion, he announced a celebratory event at Jala Soudha on September 14 at 5 p.m., inviting all officers to participate.

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In his concluding remarks, Uttam Kumar Reddy reminded officials about the government’s commitment. “We have to be showing visible results in all projects. If, for example, if there is some work that you think, at secretary’s level or my level or, it is getting delayed, please come up to me and say that,” he said.

He emphasised that bottlenecks must be avoided and directed officers to act promptly on the agenda items discussed, from clearances and DPRs to desiltation and rehabilitation works. (Maxim News)

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