Telangana Government Ramps Up Efforts: Fast-Tracks Pranahita-Chevella Project and Tummidihatti Barrage

In a significant move to bolster agricultural prosperity and ensure water security, the Telangana government has thrown its full weight behind accelerating the long-pending Pranahita-Chevella project and the crucial Tummidihatti barrage. Irrigation Minister Ponnam Prabhakar recently convened a high-level meeting with top engineering officials from the Irrigation department, issuing clear directives to fast-track the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for both components.

The Pranahita-Chevella project, a visionary initiative initially launched by former Chief Minister Y.S.

Rajasekhara Reddy, is designed to harness 148 tmcft of water. A key component, the Tummidihatti barrage, is envisioned to provide irrigation for 1.64 lakh acres in the parched Adilabad district. However, progress on the Tummidihatti barrage, with its planned capacity of 1.64 tmcft at a height of 148 meters, faced considerable challenges and was put on hold, largely due to technical issues and the subsequent redesign of the overall irrigation strategy, which led to the focus shifting to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS).

Minister Prabhakar's recent review signals a renewed commitment from the current administration to revive and complete these vital projects.

He emphasized the necessity of obtaining the required 1,811 acres of land in Maharashtra for the project's implementation. To this end, he has urged officials to swiftly arrange a meeting with their Maharashtra counterparts to facilitate the land acquisition process and resolve any inter-state coordination issues.

During the exhaustive review, Minister Prabhakar delved into the historical context of the project, including a committee report by Manmohan Singh's government and assessments from the Water Resources Development Organization.

He tasked the engineers with thoroughly examining all past reports and exploring innovative solutions, including the possibility of constructing smaller barrages if a single large one proves too complex or time-consuming. The overarching goal remains to ensure the project's effective and timely completion, bringing much-needed water to the agricultural lands of Adilabad.

Furthermore, the Minister instructed officials to investigate potential linkages of the Pranahita-Chevella project with existing irrigation systems such as Sripada Yellampalli, Mid Manair, and Lower Manair projects.

This integrated approach aims to maximize water utilization and optimize the benefits across the region. The meeting saw the participation of key figures, including Engineer-in-Chief (General) C. Muralidhar and other senior officials, underscoring the government's serious intent to push these projects forward.

The fast-tracking of the Pranahita-Chevella project and the Tummidihatti barrage represents a crucial step towards fulfilling the irrigation needs of Telangana, promising a brighter and more prosperous future for farmers in Adilabad and surrounding areas.

This concerted effort highlights the government's dedication to sustainable water management and agricultural development.