Nizamabad: Government adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Saturday reiterated that the Pranahita-Chevella project would be completed, declaring that he will not rest until irrigation water reaches farmers in Kamareddy district.
Chairing a review meeting with Pranahita-Chevella, rural water supply officials in Kamareddy, Shabbir Ali said, “It is the dream of a lifetime, and even if it takes my last breath, I will fight to see this project completed. I want to see joy in the eyes of Kamareddy farmers before I die.”
Shabbir Ali thanked Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and finance minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for sanctioning Rs 23.15 crore for the revival of the project. He criticised the previous BRS government, accusing it of conspiring to cancel the original Pranahita-Chevella project by merging it into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme. “This move deprived poor farmers of 3.5 tmc ft of irrigation water, affecting hundreds of acres,” he said.
“During 10 years of BRS rule, not even Rs 10 crore was allocated. Now, the Congress government has revived the original design, which will provide 15 tmc ft of irrigation water. Farmers too are coming forward to give land for the project,” he stated.
Shabbir Ali directed officials to expedite land acquisition and other pending issues to resume works immediately. So far, 80 per cent of compensation has been distributed, and the remaining will be completed using the sanctioned Rs 23.15 crore. “We will begin construction within 15 days,” he said. The project is expected to irrigate 80,000 acres in Kamareddy, 10,000 acres in Banswada, 30,000 acres in Yellareddy, and 12,000 acres in Ramayampet of Medak district, he explained.
He also pledged to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply for the next 20 years by repairing old pipelines and laying a new pipeline to fully utilise Godavari waters. “As summer peaks, every effort must be made to avoid water shortage,” he instructed.
In a separate meeting with Mission Bhagiratha officials, Shabbir Ali reviewed works taken up under the Amrut scheme. Of the 104-km-long second pipeline being laid to supply Godavari water, 24 km has been completed so far. The remaining works will be completed in the next two months.
Currently, Kamareddy municipality and surrounding villages need 10 million litres per day (MLD) of drinking water. Supply is being managed with 6 MLD from Sriramsagar Project, 1 MLD from Burra Mathadi, and 2.5 MLD from Pedda Cheruvu. Once the second pipeline is completed, all shortages will be resolved, he assured. Reviewing with municipal officials, Shabbir Ali also directed arrangements for deploying water tankers in urban areas to prevent any water crisis during the summer.
Irrigation chief engineer Srinivas Rao, RWS superintending engineer Rajender, Kamareddy RDO Veena, municipal commissioner Venkateshwar Reddy and others were present.
