Uttam Kumar Reddy to Discuss Sammakka-Sarakka Project with Chhattisgarh CM

Speedy Summary

• Telangana’s Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, plans to meet Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in Raipur on September 22.
• The discussion will focus on obtaining a no objection certificate (NOC) for the Sammakka-Sarakka barrage and irrigation project at Thupakulagudem across the river godavari.
• The project aims to stabilize irrigation over 6.21 lakh acres under the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme and another 7.52 lakh acres under Sriramsagar Stage-I & II in Telangana’s Bhupalapally, nalgonda, and Khammam districts by utilizing 50 tmc ft of water.
• Additionally,another 50 tmc ft of water is planned for drinking purposes across villages en route to the water distribution area.
• Telangana has committed to fair compensation and rehabilitation efforts in submergence areas that fall within Chhattisgarh’s territory impacted by land acquisition.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The proposed Sammakka-Sarakka barrage underscores the importance of interstate cooperation between telangana and Chhattisgarh regarding resource management. Ensuring fair compensation and rehabilitation as promised by Telangana is pivotal not only for gaining approval from Chhattisgarh but also for maintaining amicable interstate relations amid potential social impacts in affected regions.From an infrastructure viewpoint, stabilizing large-scale irrigation projects will considerably bolster agriculture in multiple districts within Telangana while simultaneously addressing drinking water needs-a commendable twofold approach that prioritizes both economic development and public welfare.

However, effective execution demands careful planning around environmental impact assessments due to potential submergence concerns. If managed responsibly with equitable agreements between both states based on mutual benefits, this project could serve as a blueprint for future collaborative efforts across India’s shared waterways.

Read more: Published – September 19, 2025