Hyderabad: The Centre has issued environment clearance to the Sita Rama lift irrigation project that is proposed to be built in Bhadradri Kothagudem distirct.
The Union environment ministry wrote to the project chief engineer regarding the grant of permission.
The project is meant to divert Godavari river water that will benefit about 180 villages in the districts of Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam and Mahbubabad. The total land requirement is about 8,476.84 hectares. In all, 157 villages consisting of 9,696 families are likely to be affected.
The state government had proposed the project to be completed in three years with an estimated cost of Rs 13,384.80 crore.
The proposal was considered by the expert appraisal committee (EAC) for river valley and hydroelectric projects. The Centre has also informed that after five years of commissioning of the project, a study will be undertaken by an independent agency regarding its impact on the environment.
It has also asked for a copy of the letter regarding inter-state issues being considered by the Central Water Commission.
