Revanth Reddy prioritises land acquisition for irrigation projects, pushes for war-footing completion in Palamuru region
Hyderabad, June 5
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Friday issued a firm directive to irrigation officials to expedite land acquisition for all ongoing and pending irrigation projects in Telangana, giving it the highest state priority.
The announcement came during a comprehensive two-day tour of the drought-prone Palamuru region, where the CM conducted aerial surveys and on-ground inspections of key projects. Officials have been instructed that project works cannot proceed without resolving land acquisition and rehabilitation issues, and that the process must be completed on a war-footing.
The Chief Minister, accompanied by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, visited sites including the Makthal-Kodangal-Narayanpet lift irrigation scheme and took an aerial survey of the Koilsagar and Priyadarshini Jurala projects. At a review meeting in Nagarkurnool district, CM Reddy emphasised that respective district Collectors must personally oversee the field-level acquisition process and coordinate with local public representatives to ensure no delays.
The state government has assured it is ready to immediately release required funds for compensation and rehabilitation (R&R), with CM Reddy stating that Part-A components (land acquisition and R&R) must be completed before taking up Part-B civil works to ensure resources are focused effectively.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy provided specific updates on the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). Key reservoirs have seen significant progress: Narlapur Reservoir is 100% complete, Yedula Reservoir is 95% complete, and embankment works at Vattem and Karivena reservoirs are advancing.
The minister stressed that available resources be used on critical trunk infrastructure that yields maximum benefits, urging engineers to create realistic work plans with clear financial requirements and timelines. Officials have been directed to pursue court cases to vacate any legal stays and provide advance monthly fund projections for better financial planning.
During the tour, CM Reddy was also briefed on several major proposals, including increasing the Gudemdoddi Reservoir's capacity from 1.1 TMC to 15 TMC at an estimated cost of Rs 8,500 crores and enhancing the Ghattu Lift Irrigation Scheme's capacity to 3 TMC. The Nettempadu Project, constructed at Rs 1,428 crores to irrigate 2 lakh acres, and the under-construction Mallammakunta Reservoir under the Tummilla project, estimated at Rs 543 crore, were also reviewed.
Meanwhile, Reddy said that from now on, job notifications will become a regular monthly feature. Aspirants can expect 2 to 3 recruitment notifications every month from the Telangana Public Service Commission (TGPSC).
"Prepare consistently, because opportunities will now arrive every month," he said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
All these press meets and tours are fine, but we need to see actual ground reality. The Gudemdoddi reservoir expansion from 1.1 TMC to 15 TMC is ambitious - hope it doesn't get stuck in legal battles like other projects. Also, monthly job notifications is a welcome surprise. About time TGPSC showed some consistency!
Good to see CM personally inspecting things. But the real test is execution. How many times have we heard "war-footing" before? Let's see if the money reaches the actual beneficiaries. Also, clearing court cases for irrigation should be a priority - those legal stays are a nightmare. 😤
As someone from the US, I'm impressed by the scale of these projects. 2 lakh acres irrigated, Rs 8,500 crores for capacity expansion - that's serious infrastructure investment. Hope the focus on R&R (resettlement & rehabilitation) means farmers and displaced families are treated fairly. In India, land acquisition is always the trickiest part.
The focus on completing Part A before Part B is sensible. Otherwise funds get wasted on piecemeal work. But I'm cautiously optimistic. The Narlapur reservoir being 100% complete is a good sign. Now about those job notifications - Monthly TGPSC recruitment would be a game changer for thousands of unemployed youth! 📚✨
I appreciate the intent but feel a bit skeptical. The same promises were made by previous governments. Palamuru is indeed drought-prone and needs urgent attention. But without strict monitoring and corruption checks, these crores may not translate into water. Let the work speak - results in the field, not just in review
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