Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said conducting a cost impact analysis is essential before taking up any new irrigation project. During a discussion in the assembly on Thursday, he said projects will move forward after carefully considering land acquisition costs as he spoke about the govt setting an ambitious target to irrigate 30 lakh acres annually.
The minister said the projects will commence only when there are sufficient funds available for land acquisition, as delaying payment can significantly increase land costs. A special drive will be undertaken for the security of lift irrigation schemes, with additional officers appointed.
He encouraged MLAs to take the lead on land acquisition for projects like Chanaka Korata.
Speaking about the previous BRS govt tenure, he said 1.81 lakh crore was spent over a decade, yet irrigation coverage remained low. He said the former BRS govt left a 100 crore rehabilitation package for the evacuees of the Baswapuram reservoir unresolved, but the Congress govt has already disbursed 50 crore and is taking steps to address the evacuees’ concerns.
He said that the govt is expediting the Gandhamalla project by reducing it to 1.5 tmc and assured that the Devadula canal will be completed with 120 crore allocated for Station Ghanpur.
Pending projects for the Malakpet reservoir and Sripada Yellampalli will also be finalised, he said.
The minister said the cabinet has approved a revised estimate of 4,650 crore for SLBC tunnel and added that tunnel boring machines will be imported from the US to finish the project within two years. Water allocations for the Dindi lift are expected to be finalised within a month, he added.
The govt also plans to finish work on the Musi’s three canals within two years to supply water to 60,000 acres, aiming for completion within a year if land acquisition progresses quickly, the minister explained.
