Uttam Kumar Reddy Directs Officials To Fast-Track DPR For Pranahita–Chevella Project With Tummidihatti Barrage

· Minister Uttam urges use of departmental lands for solar plants to power irrigation schemes

Hyderabad, October 11: Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday directed officials to fast-track the preparation of a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Pranahita–Chevella project, prioritising the construction of a barrage at Tummidihatti for its revival.

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Chairing an extensive review meeting at the Dr B. R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, the minister examined the field observations submitted by officials who recently visited Tummidihatti and Sundilla, where detailed technical surveys are underway. Officials explained that the original canal alignment and hydraulic structures remain largely intact and could be reused after minor rehabilitation.

They reported that the canal network, extending nearly 71 kilometres, is in usable condition, with two major aqueducts already 70 per cent complete. Engineers confirmed that water could flow up to Sundilla entirely through gravity, eliminating the need for multiple lifting stages. “Up to Sundilla there is no lift required. It is full gravity flow,” one senior official told the meeting.

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As per the earlier proposal of Pranahita–Chevella, it was envisaged to draw water from Tummidihatti to Chevella through Yellampalli. Officials have now examined the field conditions and found that from 0–71 km downstream of Tummidihatti, several components of the canal were already executed. Of this stretch, about 45 km of canal excavation has been completed, while works in the remaining portions are partially finished.

Beyond the 71 km point, located near Mylaram village in Mancherial district, officials discussed two options for taking water further downstream. As per the original scheme, water can be conveyed from Mylaram to the Yellampalli reservoir, a stretch of about 50 km that requires a single lift. The alternate proposal is to carry water from the same point directly to the Sundilla barrage, covering about 35 km, which can be achieved entirely through gravity.

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Both options include a combination of tunnel and open canal sections, but while the first requires lifting, the second functions on gravity flow, making it technically simpler and more economical.

The minister welcomed the findings, noting that the gravity-based alignment up to Sundilla would enhance both technical and financial feasibility. “We must prepare both options so that a firm decision can be taken before the end of this month,” he said.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy has scheduled a follow-up review meeting next week with Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, Special Secretary Prashant Jeevan Patil, Advisor Adityanath Das, Engineer-in-Chief Amjedullah, and other field engineers to finalise the direction of work.

He instructed officials to set the process in motion for completing the revised DPR by October-end, emphasising that it must include hydraulic, environmental, and cost parameters, as well as updated satellite and terrain surveys.

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Moving to energy-efficiency measures, Uttam Kumar Reddy directed the department to identify irrigation lands suitable for establishing solar power plants, stating that the power generated should be used to operate irrigation schemes and pumping stations.

“If we generate power within the department and use it for our own lift schemes, we can save enormous expenditure every year,” he said. The minister asked officials to compile a comprehensive inventory of all irrigation lands across the State by next week, categorising them as viable for solar installations, commercially monetisable, or required for future projects.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Irrigation Department should lead by example in adopting renewable energy, noting that it would not only reduce recurring power costs but also help the State meet its clean-energy goals. “Power bills constitute a significant share of operational costs. Solar generation within departmental lands can drastically reduce that burden,” he observed.

During the review, Uttam Kumar Reddy examined the status of pending proposals for Devadula Package-III, Kalwakurthi Package-29, Palamuru–Rangareddy Package-7, and the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel, instructing officers to complete documentation so that these could be placed before the Cabinet in the next round. He said all necessary justifications and technical clarifications must accompany each file to avoid audit objections.

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The minister also reviewed progress on the SLBC tunnel, including the aerial survey undertaken for alignment verification, and asked officials to expedite related works.

On inter-State issues, Uttam Kumar Reddy discussed the recent Karnataka government notification enhancing land-acquisition areas and compensation related to water utilisation. He asked officials to immediately raise objections with the Centre against any move that might affect Telangana’s water rights and to coordinate with the legal team to protect the State’s interests, particularly those linked to the Almatti and Banakacherla projects.Uttam Kumar Reddy said that reviving the Pranahita-Chevella project through the Tummidihatti barrage was not merely a reconstruction exercise, but a reaffirmation of the Congress government’s commitment to ensuring irrigation for every acre of cultivable land. (Maxim News)

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