Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka Directs Speed Up of Sitarama Project in Bhadradri Kothagudem

On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, conducted a field-level inspection of the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Seethamma Sagar Multipurpose Project in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Following the inspection, the leaders issued on-the-spot instructions to accelerate construction works to maximize the utilization of Godavari River water for the region.

The state government aims to complete the Sitarama Project at the earliest to ensure water reaches the last ayacut. According to Vikramarka, the administration is preparing a comprehensive plan to address challenges arising from global climate change and adverse environmental conditions.

During the visit, Vikramarka recalled the history of the irrigation initiatives in the region. He noted that during Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's tenure as Chief Minister, the Rajiv Sagar (Dummugudem) and Indira Sagar projects were designed to irrigate four lakh acres at a total cost of Rs 3,505 crore. Nearly Rs 2,000 crore had already been spent on these projects before the state bifurcation.

Vikramarka criticized the previous KCR-led government for redesigning the projects, which he claimed escalated the project cost to nearly Rs 24,000 crore and resulted in an additional expenditure of Rs 7,500 crore to Rs 8,000 crore.

Despite these criticisms, the current cabinet decided to continue and complete the redesigned project because a substantial amount of public money had already been spent. The Deputy Chief Minister stated that stopping the project at this stage would not be appropriate.

To rectify existing deficiencies, the government is linking the Rajiv Canal with the Sagar Canal and taking up programmes to fill the Wyra and Paleru reservoirs through link canals and tunnels. Works are also being accelerated to supply water to Sathupalli.

The government has established a monthly calendar to monitor the progress of these works and ensure timely completion. Vikramarka emphasized that the government would prevent any misuse of funds while prioritizing and completing the ongoing works.