Government plans to change alignment of Palamuru irrigation scheme

The decision was taken following forest dept objecting to canal works in forest area

HYDERABAD: The irrigation department is planning to change the alignment of the proposed  Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) in Mahbubnagar district. The proposed change in the alignment was due to Union Forest department's refusal to allow canal work in the forest area. The Package-1 works were invited with an estimated cost of `3,200 crore. The forest department objected to the construction of Palamuru-Rangareddy in their land.

"Getting forest clearance is very difficult and we cannot construct projects. With the help of Google earth, the Union forest ministry is watching all the developments on forest lands,''an official said.

Following this, the irrigation department is planning to change the alignment. "We did not take any final decision on Package-1 of the Palamuru-Rangaredddy project. Currently, drilling works are going on  alternative lands,'' an official said.

However, sources pointed out that the proposed changes in the alignment may cost around `1,000 crore more to the state government. It remains to be seen whether the irrigation department would confine to the original plan or change the alignment for want of forest clearance.