Congress-Initiated Project Works Nearly 98% Complete: Uttam
Uttam stressed the need to translate the substantial investment already made in the project into irrigation benefits for farmers across its intended ayacut of 1.06 lakh acres
Hyderabad: Initiated during the Congress government in undivided Andhra Pradesh, the Gouravelli irrigation project is receiving a renewed push towards completion under the present Congress government in Telangana, with Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directing officials to resolve outstanding approvals, land acquisition and rehabilitation issues through a time-bound programme.
Chairing a review at the Secretariat on Saturday Uttam stressed the need to translate the substantial investment already made in the project into irrigation benefits for farmers across its intended ayacut of 1.06 lakh acres.
Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar joined the review along with senior officials of the revenue and Irrigation Departments.
The review placed the completion of the Congress-era project at the centre of coordinated efforts by irrigation, revenue and legal officials. Uttam directed them to prepare a clear work schedule, process eligible compensation claims promptly and bring financial, administrative or legal bottlenecks to the government’s notice.
Gouravelli, in Akkannapet mandal of Siddipet district, forms part of the Indiramma Flood Flow Canal project from the Sriram Sagar Project. Its original construction agreement dates to May 2008, during Congress rule in undivided Andhra Pradesh. The reservoir’s capacity was subsequently enhanced from 1.410 TMC to 8.230 TMC, with a supplementary agreement for the expanded works signed in December 2017.
But it did not materialize in the absence of the much needed approvals and clearances. The reservoir works are nearly 98 per cent complete. Environmental clearance, remaining land acquisition, rehabilitation obligations and canal works must be addressed before the project can deliver its intended irrigation benefits.
Uttam emphasised that completion of the reservoir must be accompanied by a functioning canal and distributary network capable of carrying water to agricultural fields. He said substantial budgetary provision was available for the financial year and instructed officials to convert it into timely progress.
Total expenditure on the project has reached Rs 1,343.59 crore, comprising Rs 886.76 crore on works, including price escalation, and Rs 456.83 crore on land acquisition and rehabilitation. The project completion would need another Rs 114.389 crore. The Minister directed revenue and irrigation officials to put the land acquisition on fast track.
The Minister directed that the revised reservoir estimate of Rs 1,457.979 crore be forwarded to the Chief Secretary for placement before the next Cabinet meeting. The revision accounts for enhanced land compensation and rehabilitation costs, changes in GST and other statutory charges, and price escalation.
Environmental clearance received particular attention. Expansion of the reservoir without prior clearance in the previous regime had led to proceedings before the National Green Tribunal, which restrained further construction pending fresh environmental clearance. Works remain stopped under the tribunal’s directions.
The meeting reviewed the Supreme Court’s July 29 decision and the Union Environment Ministry’s September 30 Office Memorandum concerning further processing of proposals involving environmental issues.
Ponnam Prabhakar highlighted sustained follow-up by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy with the Centre, along with the engagement of senior legal counsel, to advance the project’s legal and environmental-clearance process.
Officials reported that the environmental-impact assessment, environmental-management plan, public-hearing reports and three-season baseline data had been uploaded to the PARIVESH portal. Uttam directed them to complete the documentation for the appraisal meeting scheduled for October 8.
He also instructed officials to coordinate with the Advocate General and project counsel to place the latest legal developments and updated project records before the NGT ahead of its October 16 hearing. The pending proposal will require appraisal and compliance with the directions of the competent environmental authorities.
On land acquisition, he said 3,850 acres have been acquired against the reservoir requirement of 3,870 acres. Compensation for the remaining 20 acres has been deposited before the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Authority in Hyderabad.
Uttam sought district-wise timelines for canal land acquisition and directed officials to verify and settle admissible rehabilitation claims, including outstanding requests from displaced families, in accordance with applicable records and government orders.
The review also examined maintenance and repairs to serviceable reaches of the left and right main canals. Uttam called for a practical schedule covering estimates, acquisition and tenders for distributary works, with the aim of preparing the network for the next irrigation season. A revised estimate of Rs 88.89 crore for remaining main-canal, distributary and allied works was discussed for further processing.
The meeting was attended by Irrigation Secretary E. Sridhar, Engineer-in-Chief (General), O.V. Ramesh Babu, Engineer-in-Chief (Operation and Maintenance) Madhusudan Rao, Joint Secretary, K Srinivas, Commissioner for Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Shiva Kumar Nayudu, the Siddipet District Collector, K. Hymavathi and other irrigation and revenue officials.
