Telangana govt seeks optimum utilisation of Godavari water
Hyderabad, Aug 12 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to ensure optimum utilisation of available Godavari water by taking up lift operations from the Yellampalli, Devadula and Sitarama projects.
Reviewing the Irrigation Department at the MCRHRD Institute here, the Chief Minister directed officials to strictly follow the recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) on the Sundilla, Annaram and Medigadda barrages, where water is currently not being stored.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy informed the Chief Minister that defects had been identified in the Medigadda and Sundilla barrages.
Revanth Reddy directed officials to consult the NDSA immediately on measures to address the issues.
The Minister also informed that water lifting operations were being carried out with nine pumps at the Devadula project.
The Chief Minister directed officials to resolve any minor issues affecting lift irrigation operations at the Devadula and Sitarama projects on priority.
Revanth Reddy reviewed pending compensation and rehabilitation payments to farmers whose lands had been acquired for various irrigation projects and directed officials to ensure their immediate disbursement.
He instructed Irrigation and Revenue officials to conduct field visits and prepare a factual report on villages facing submergence, along with details of pending compensation and rehabilitation issues.
The Chief Minister said compensation should be paid immediately to villages facing an imminent impact. Completion of the process would facilitate filling the Baswapur and Gouravelli projects with water, he said.
Revanth Reddy also directed officials to conduct a comprehensive study on enhancing the capacity of the Gattu and Gudemdoddi lift irrigation schemes and appoint a consultant for the Gudemdoddi pumped-storage project.
CM Principal Secretary V Seshadri, CM Secretary Manicka Raj, State Irrigation Secretary E Sridhar and R&R Commissioner Shiva Kumar Naidu attended the review meeting.
TNT TS
