From The Hindu · The Hindu Bureau · · 2m
Telangana pushes stalled irrigation project to completion
The state government is accelerating the Gouravelli project, which has been delayed by missing approvals and land acquisition issues since its original 2008 agreement.
In brief
The state government is accelerating the Gouravelli project, which has been delayed by missing approvals and land acquisition issues since its original 2008 agreement. Telangana's irrigation minister is fast-tracking the Gouravelli project to resolve outstanding approvals and land issues, aiming to deliver irrigation…
Telangana revives stalled irrigation project
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Telangana government is pushing the Gouravelli project toward early completion by resolving outstanding approvals, land acquisition and rehabilitation issues.
Project aims to irrigate vast farmland
The Gouravelli project is intended to extend irrigation benefits to farmers across one point zero six lakh acres. The minister stressed the need to translate substantial investment already made into actual benefits.
Project has long history of delays
The original construction agreement dates to May two thousand eight. The reservoir capacity was enhanced from one point four one zero tmc ft to eight point two three zero tmc ft with a supplementary agreement signed in December two thousand seventeen.
Reservoir nearly complete but blocked
Reservoir works are nearly ninety eight percent complete. Environmental clearance, remaining land acquisition, rehabilitation obligations and canal works must be addressed before the project can deliver irrigation benefits.
Project has cost one thousand three hundred forty three crore rupees so far
Total expenditure made on the project was one thousand three hundred forty three point five nine crore rupees comprising eight hundred eighty six point seven six crore on works and four hundred fifty six point eight three crore on land acquisition and rehabilitation.
Environmental clearance blocked by tribunal
Expansion of the reservoir without prior clearance in the BRS regime led to proceedings before the National Green Tribunal, which restrained further construction pending fresh environmental clearance.
Next steps: tribunal hearing and cabinet approval
Officials must complete documentation for an appraisal meeting scheduled for October eight. The National Green Tribunal has a hearing scheduled for October sixteen to consider updated project records and legal developments.
The key point
Telangana's irrigation minister is fast-tracking the Gouravelli project to resolve outstanding approvals and land issues, aiming to deliver irrigation to one point zero six lakh acres of farmland.
