Telangana CM Revanth seeks Centre’s support for completion of Telangana irrigation projects

New Delhi, Nov 15 (TNT) : Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene in resolving inter-state issues, securing statutory clearances and providing additional financial assistance for expediting several pending irrigation projects in the state.

During a meeting with Modi in New Delhi, the Chief Minister sought the Centre’s intervention to persuade Maharashtra to agree to the construction of the proposed Tummidihetti barrage across the Pranahita river at a water level of 152 metres.

Revanth informed the Prime Minister about his recent discussions with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said Telangana was ready to provide adequate compensation to people affected by the proposed project in Maharashtra.

He explained that the barrage was essential for supplying water through gravity to meet irrigation and drinking water requirements of backward and tribal areas in Telangana.

The Chief Minister also requested early environmental and statutory clearances for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Sitamma Sagar Multipurpose Project and Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme, stating that substantial expenditure had already been incurred on these projects but their intended benefits remained unrealised due to pending approvals.

He urged Modi to sanction an additional Rs 5,000 crore to Telangana under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), stating that several irrigation projects had reached 70 to 90 per cent completion and could be completed expeditiously with additional financial support.

He also sought the release of Rs 5,849 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for four projects, including Rs 5,183 crore for the integrated Sammakka Sagar-Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, Rs 392 crore for Modikunta Vagu, Rs 171 crore for Chinna Kaleshwaram and Rs 103 crore for the Chanaka-Korata barrage.

On the Sammakka Sagar project, the Chief Minister said its Detailed Project Report had been submitted to the Central Water Commission. The state had paid Rs 9.88 crore towards a comprehensive survey to determine the Full Reservoir Level and assess the backwater impact, including submergence in Chhattisgarh.

He requested the Prime Minister to facilitate an early No Objection Certificate from Chhattisgarh, assuring that Telangana would provide compensation for the land affected in that state.

During the meeting, Revanth also invited Modi to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the eighth Khelo India Youth Games-2026, scheduled to be held in Telangana from December 11 to 22.

More than 7,000 athletes are expected to participate in 27 sporting disciplines, the Chief Minister said, adding that the games would help young sportspersons prepare for international events, including the Asian Games and Olympics.

State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Sports and Youth Services Minister Vakiti Srihari, State Government Advisor (Sports) A P Jitender Reddy, Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju and senior officials were among those present.