Uttam Kumar Reddy orders fast-track irrigation projects, exclusive SLBC tunnel division
Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday ordered officials to fast-track key irrigation projects and created a dedicated division for the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel works.
During a high-level review meeting, the Minister directed departments to accelerate ongoing and new irrigation projects, including the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). At the same time, he insisted on strict adherence to procedures and complete transparency.
Senior officials, including Engineer-in-Chiefs, Chief Engineers, Executive Engineers and Principal Secretary (Irrigation) Rahul Bojja, attended the review. According to the Minister, the Chief Minister had assured sufficient funds for priority irrigation projects.
Moreover, Uttam Kumar Reddy warned officials against procedural lapses. He said officers must remain accountable and avoid actions that invite criticism. The government, he added, would act firmly against deliberate omissions or violations.
Exclusive division to fast-track SLBC tunnel works
To ensure timely completion, the Minister announced a separate division exclusively for executing and monitoring SLBC tunnel works. He said officials had already dismantled and removed the trapped Tunnel Boring Machine from inside the tunnel.
Meanwhile, teams have begun rail track maintenance and repair works within the tunnel. Therefore, the Minister asked engineers to complete the remaining tasks without delay.
Turning to the proposed Tummidihetti barrage, Uttam Kumar Reddy said officials had made rapid progress on investigations and surveys for the Detailed Project Report. He noted that teams completed a topographical survey covering 73 square kilometres, exceeding the required area.
In addition, engineers finished surveys along the 85-kilometre canal alignment and completed cross-section level surveys across the Wardha and Wainganga rivers. Consequently, the Minister directed officials to intensify remaining investigations and finalise the DPR quickly.
The Minister also reviewed progress under PRLIS and urged faster execution. Accordingly, he instructed Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja to personally monitor regular reviews of PRLIS and other priority irrigation projects.
On the Kaleshwaram barrages, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune, had submitted inspection reports and work schedules for Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla. Teams began testing at Medigadda on Wednesday, while testing at Annaram and Sundilla will start on January 22.
Therefore, the Minister directed engineers to prepare rehabilitation designs for all three barrages within one month. He also asked officials to actively pursue pending environmental clearances, citing a recent Supreme Court order permitting post-facto clearances in exceptional cases.
Finally, the Minister flagged sedimentation as a major concern affecting irrigation projects. He pointed out that silt accumulation had reduced the Sriramsagar Project’s storage capacity from over 112 TMC to below 90 TMC. Hence, he instructed all executive engineers to submit desiltation proposals on priority.
