Kupti Project Set For Overhaul With Higher Water Storage
Officials said the project site is located in a natural valley, making higher storage feasible
ADILABAD: The state government is likely to prepare a fresh detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed Kupti Lift Irrigation and hydropower project on the Kadam river in Neredigonda mandal, with a focus on irrigation and drinking water needs in the Boath Assembly constituency.
Local residents have sought enhancement of the project’s storage capacity to 6.5 TMC ft from the earlier proposed 5.3 TMC ft. The previous government had issued GO No. 18 and GO No. 34 for the project.
Congress leaders from Boath constituency met Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka, irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and in-charge minister Jupally Krishna Rao, stating that the earlier government orders did not address irrigation and drinking water requirements of the constituency.
They proposed allocation of 3.5 TMC ft of water to irrigate about 35,000 acres across Boath, Neredigonda, Echoda, Sirikonda, Bazarhathnoor and Gudihathnoor mandals, along with 2 TMC ft downstream release into the Kadam project and 1 TMC ft for drinking water.
Officials said the project site is located in a natural valley, making higher storage feasible. Estimates based on long-term data indicate annual inflows of 19 to 23 TMC ft at the Kupti junction.
The proposal also includes developing the area into a tourism circuit by linking Kupti with Kuntala Waterfall and Pochera Waterfall, with activities such as boating and river-based recreation.
Naresh Jadhav, president of the Adilabad District Congress Committee, said earlier plans did not ensure adequate water allocation for Boath despite land acquisition from farmers. He said a memorandum was submitted to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy seeking increased storage and allocation.
He added that the irrigation department is considering preparation of a fresh DPR for the project.
