Telangana Fast-Tracks Devadula Lift Irrigation Project, Aims for Swift Completion

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has fast-tracked work on the Devadula lift irrigation scheme and is aiming to complete the project by next year, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Tuesday.

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, the minister stated that the state government will ensure the maximum utilisation of Godavari river waters through the lift irrigation scheme. He directed officials that all available pumping facilities must be operated optimally to convey the maximum quantity of water to the command areas and reservoirs served by the project.

The announcement followed an extensive review meeting on the project's progress, attended by Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Minister D Anasuya, and Rajya Sabha MP Vem Narender Reddy. During the meeting, officials and ministers identified key bottlenecks hindering the project and discussed measures to resolve them.

A primary focus of the review was placed on resolving land acquisition challenges, rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) matters, and forest-related clearances. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the government would immediately release the required funds in areas where the land acquisition process and award procedures have been finalized.

The minister also noted that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had assured a special package of ₹6,000 crore for under-construction irrigation projects across Telangana. Out of this allocated package, approximately ₹2,500 crore has already been released to expedite ongoing works.