Latest news with #SitaRamaLiftIrrigationProject
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Harish lashes out at Uttam over ‘misleading' remarks on SRLI proj
Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Sunday lashed out at Irrigation Mister N Uttam Kumar Reddy for making 'misleading' political remarks on the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project. He said it was not just a project, but it was the lifeline of Khammam's farmers. 'The Congress is sabotaging it with lies,' alleged Rao, lashing out at Reddy. He accused the Congress of gaining power through falsehoods and continuing the same deceit in governance. He said that despite receiving all necessary approvals from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and Hydrology Directorate, the Congress was intentionally misguiding people by falsely claiming the project lacks permissions. Rao said the Sita Rama project was designed by the BRS government as a comprehensive solution to address irrigation needs in Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mahabubabad districts. The project, he said, was conceptualised by K Chandrashekar Rao to overcome inter-State disputes and forest clearance hurdles caused by earlier flawed Congress designs like Rajiv Sagar and Indira Sagar. He lambasted the Congress leadership for filing cases in the Green Tribunal to halt the project and obstructing environmental approvals. Despite these challenges, the BRS ensured the project's progress, significantly increasing irrigation coverage from 3.33 lakh acres to 6.74 lakh acres and water storage from 1.2 tmcft to 10 tmcft. Criticising Reddy's statement that the project lacks permissions, Rao called it a sign of ignorance or deliberate misinformation. He clarified that all permissions except for the final TAC (Technical Advisory Committee) approval are in place and suggested that the minister verify facts with department officials before making public statements.
New Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Minister Uttam pushes for swift SRLIP completion amid legal hurdles
HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting at Jala Soudha with Cabinet colleagues from Khammam district — Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Agriculture Minister Thummala Nageswara Rao — to strategise the swift completion of the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP) and Sitamma Sagar Multi-Purpose Project (SSMPP), despite prevailing legal hurdles. The minister reaffirmed the state government's commitment to fast-tracking both projects and issued directions to officials. Former five-time MLA from Yellandu, Gummadi Narsaiah, was specially invited to the meeting to highlight local concerns. Addressing a joint press conference later in the day, Uttam stated that the projects aim to provide irrigation water to 7.8 lakh acres. He criticised the previous BRS regime for failing to allocate water to the projects, noting that the Congress government had successfully secured an allocation of 67 tmcft. He also acknowledged that work on the SSMPP had been halted due to environmental violations, which led to a penalty imposed by the Centre. During the meeting, Uttam announced that he would personally hold monthly review sessions to monitor the pace of work. Engineers provided a detailed status update, reporting that 97% of the SRLIP's main canal works were completed, and three of the four major pump houses had already undergone successful wet runs.
Hans India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Uttam directs officials to expedite works on SRLI, SSMP projects
Hyderabad: Getting serious over the delay in the completion of the works, State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has asked the officials to take up the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP) and the Sitamma Sagar Multi-Purpose Project (SSMPP) on a fast-track basis. The Minister directed the senior officials to monitor all land and forest clearance-related issues by being physically present at the site on a daily basis and also asked the engineering officials to personally brief him on the total cost, progress, and hurdles in land acquisition. In the high-level review meeting on the two projects attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and senior officials, Uttam said, 'This is the working season. Despite the constraints, you must move forward with full speed. We cannot afford any more delays.' He directed that land acquisition should be expedited across all segments of the project, and that 'issues related to compensatory afforestation must be addressed without further back-and-forth', Uttam told the officials. He noted that some works were earlier taken up without approvals, and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had since issued a penalty of Rs 53.41 crore. 'We are preparing a legal strategy to get the penalty cancelled', he added. The Minister also asked for a note justifying priority payments to contractors and stakeholders, so that the matter could be placed before the Finance Department through proper channels. He emphasised the importance of regular follow-ups and said another review would be held in exactly one month to assess improvements. Uttam Kumar Reddy also responded positively to the appeal made by former MLA Gummadi Narsaiah, who was also present in the meeting, for ensuring water supply to Yellandu. He directed that a technical team study the proposal and meet him with their assessment. The Minister reiterated that the Sitamma Sagar project would also include a hydroelectric component and the government had submitted a 282.8 MW plan to TG GENCO, which was under process. It was the present Congress government which had convinced the Centre and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to allocate 67 tmcft of Godavari river water for the project, he claimed.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Irrigation Minister asks engineers to fast-track Sita Rama and Sitamma Sagar projects
HYDERABAD Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday stated that the Congress government was committed to complete Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP) and Sitamma Sagar Multi-Purpose Project (SSMPP) on a fast-track basis, as both the projects hold key to the future of irrigation and development in southern Telangana. The Minister chaired a high-level review meeting and it was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Ministers Tummala Nageswara Rao and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, the three hailing from combined Khammam district, and senior officials from the Irrigation department. Former Yellandu MLA Gummadi Narsaiah also participated in the meeting as a special invitee to present local concerns. Speaking to the officials, Mr. Uttam Reddy said the completion of the two long-pending projects would enable the government to provide assured irrigation facilities to nearly 7.80 lakh acres spread across Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mahabubabad districts. He recalled that the previous government did not even get water allocation done to the Sita Rama project. However, the Congress government had convinced the Centre and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to allocate 67 tmcft of Godavari river water for the project, the Minister said. Engineers gave a detailed presentation on the status of works and pending issues. They noted that 97% of the SRLIP's main canal works were completed and the wet run of three major pump-houses was conducted successfully already. The fourth pump-house of the project was under execution and was expected to be completed soon. The Palair Link Canal, Sathupalli Trunk Canal and Enkoor Link Canal works were at various stages of progress with some bottlenecks still remaining, particularly related to land acquisition, forest clearances and structures near tunnels. 'We can't afford any more delays and you are expected to move forward with full speed despite some constraints as this is the working season', he told the engineers. He wanted the authorities concerned to expedite land acquisition across all segments and the issues related to compensatory afforestation must be addressed without further delays. Further, he asked the engineers to prepare a note with justification for priority payments to contractors and other stakeholders so that the matter could be placed before the Finance department. On Sitamma Sagar, the Minister said the government was taking steps to secure pending environmental and forest clearances. He noted that some works were earlier taken up without approvals and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a penalty of ₹53.41 crore. 'We are preparing a legal strategy to get the penalty cancelled', he stated. He responded positively to the appeal made by Mr. Gummadi Narsaiah for water supply to Yellandu by asking the authorities to study the proposal and revert back.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
KCR targeting Congress for rebuilding Telangana: Uttam Kumar Reddy
NALGONDA: Accusing BRS president and former CM K Chandrashekhar Rao of trying to mislead the people after ruining the state during his 10-year rule, Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday said that the present Congress dispensation was working sincerely and tirelessly to serve the people of Telangana. Uttam was addressing the gathering, along with Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, after laying the foundation for an additional block at the Nalgonda Collectorate. He said that the BRS president, who pushed Telangana into a deep financial crisis during his tenure as CM, is now shamelessly attacking the Congress government that is working hard to repair the damage. 'During the 10-year BRS regime, KCR destroyed Telangana. Now, he is targeting those who are working sincerely to rebuild the state,' he said. The Irrigation minister that the Congress lost around five to six months because of elections after assuming office but had not wasted a single day since then. 'Since taking oath as a minister on December 7, 2023, I have not taken leave even for a single day. We are working round the clock to serve the people,' he said. Uttam pointed out that the previous BRS government spent Rs 1.81 lakh crore on irrigation projects but there has been no significant increase in ayacut during its regime. 'They spent Rs 27,000 crore on Palamuru-Rangareddy project and Rs 9,000 crore on the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project, but not a single acre received irrigation water,' he added. 'The previous government spent Rs 1 lakh crore on Kaleshwaram project but it turned out to be a disaster. The Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages collapsed during the BRS regime due to poor design, poor construction and poor operation and maintenance. The BRS leaders were more interested in commissions than in serving farmers,' he alleged. In contrast, Uttam said, the Congress government was committed to completing all the pending irrigation projects in a transparent manner. 'We are determined to complete the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, which was neglected by KCR and BRS for 10 years. SLBC will become a reality under the Congress government,' he added. He also accused KCR of betraying Telangana's farmers by agreeing to an unfair Krishna water allocation. 'KCR agreed to just 299 TMCs of Krishna waters during bifurcation, causing huge injustice to Telangana. Today, the Congress government is fighting to secure Telangana's rightful share in Krishan waters,' he said. Taking a strong swipe at the BRS chief, Uttam said: 'Since losing power, KCR has not been attending the Telangana Assembly sessions. He is afraid to face the elected representatives in the House. But he addresses public meetings to spread lies and cover up his failures.' Earlier in the day, Uttam led a huge bike rally in Nalgonda town and inaugurated three lift irrigation schemes under the AMR SLBC HLC system at Bakkathaikunta, Ponugode and Narsingbatla-Domalapally, built at a cost of over Rs 46 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of an additional block at the Nalgonda Collectorate at a cost of Rs 36 crore.
