Uttam Kumar Reddy Reviews New Plan For Pranahita–Chevella Project
- Minister reviews revised Sundilla Link to cut costs and bypass coal-bearing zones
- Government aims for technical, fiscal, and ecological balance in project revival
Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday said that the Telangana government is exploring cost-efficient alternatives to revive the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Pranahita–Chevella Sujala Sravanthi Project. The aim is to make the long-awaited irrigation project technically sound, financially viable, and environmentally sustainable.
Chairing a detailed review at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, the Minister revealed that a new alignment through the Sundilla Link could help save around ₹1,500–1,600 crore. The revised plan may also cut land acquisition requirements by nearly half and avoid coal-bearing zones that previously obstructed tunnelling along the route. He said the proposal could lower the overall project expenditure by 10–12 percent.
“The revised Sundilla Link was examined as a practical and environment-friendly alternative. It appeared capable of addressing the earlier challenges related to coal-bearing formations while utilising existing infrastructure more efficiently. The Government would take a well-informed decision once the technical and financial evaluations were complete,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
Originally, the project proposed carrying Godavari water from the Tummidihatti barrage to Yellampalli through a 71-kilometre canal system. This plan was hindered when coal seams were detected along the alignment, making construction risky and expensive. The new proposal instead suggests a direct link from Tummidihatti to Sundilla, avoiding coal zones altogether. Preliminary studies indicate that the alternative route could shorten canal and tunnel lengths, lower construction costs, and reduce the number of pump houses required.
Officials briefed the Minister that the redesigned plan may bring significant gains in efficiency. The gravity-canal length could be reduced from 30 to 13 kilometres, while the tunnel length might drop from nearly 14 to around 10 kilometres. The number of pump houses could also fall from 15 to 12, cutting maintenance and energy costs. This approach would also ensure faster completion and simpler long-term maintenance.
Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed the Irrigation Department to revalidate previous surveys and conduct fresh geotechnical and topographical studies to prepare an updated Detailed Project Report (DPR). The document will include hydraulic models, environmental assessments, and energy-use estimates and will be submitted to the State Cabinet for review. He also said that the Government of Maharashtra would be consulted regarding the optimal water level at the Tummidihatti barrage to ensure adequate flow to Telangana’s canals.
The Pranahita–Chevella Project, conceptualised in 2008–09, was designed to draw 160 TMC of Godavari water to irrigate about 12 lakh acres across Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Medak, and Ranga Reddy districts while supplying drinking water to Hyderabad. The Minister reaffirmed that restructuring this project remains a state priority and will be implemented transparently and responsibly to benefit Telangana’s farmers and water-deficit areas.
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