Govt Approves 48% Cost Hike for Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project

rapid summary

• The State Government of Telangana has revised the estimated cost of the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Scheme (SRLIS) from ₹13,058 crore to ₹19,325 crore (a nearly 48% increase).
• This revision aims to benefit residents across 11 constituencies in Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, and Mahabubabad districts by creating irrigation potential for 3.29 lakh acres, while stabilizing an existing ayacut of 3.45 lakh acres.
• Minister for Agriculture tummala Nageswara Rao expressed gratitude to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for approving the updated costs.
• Key progress includes:

– Completion of the SRLIS main canal’s 104 km length, with modernization work planned for distributaries and field channels under its purview.
– Partial completion of infrastructural projects like Sattupalli Trunk Tunnel & Palair link Canal with remaining work set for completion within a year (125 km pending).
– Tender processes initiated for eight distributaries; land acquisition is ongoing via Grama Sabhas and enjoyment surveys.

• Specific implementation targets:

– Release of at least 1,600 cusecs by June-end next year to stabilize a separate ayacut area impacted by Nagarjunasagar Left Canal, benefiting minor irrigation tanks covering an additional 10,000 acres.
– December deadline set for completing Yathalakunta Tunnel within Package-9 aimed at supplying water to 120 minor irrigation tanks.
– Julurupadu tunnel targeted for completion by end-of-year 2026.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The approval to revise costs underlines Telangana’s commitment toward expanding its irrigation infrastructure amidst increasing demands on agricultural productivity. At ₹19,325 crores and spanning three districts widely reliant on farming livelihoods, SRLIS embodies both promise and logistical challenge.

From an execution standpoint:
1) Modernization efforts targeting canals and field channels could materially uplift agriculture output if completed within proposed timelines-helping stabilize over six lakh acres cumulatively in ayacuts served directly or indirectly under SRLIS infrastructure links like Nagarjunasagar left Canal or Package enhancements plugging village-based tank connectivity gaps.

2) coordination required surrounding grama sabha consent/survey processing speeds remains less predictable zones should policymakers/administrators avoid disillusionment amongst rural landowners displaced say halfway recurrent—YEAR attributable longstanding environmental-package added backend mutual-procurement checks central calibrating agility yet transparent-state interventions ride superlative disproportion prevention meantime largely correlates lasting sustainable agri boost compliance devenry hurdles trigger future disconnect unlikely intact worse scorn..

For full details visit The Hindu.