HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed officials to speed up the action plan for construction of a barrage at Tummidihatti on the River Godavari with a height of 150 metres, instead of 152 metres, based on expert recommendations.
At a review meeting attended by Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Thummala Nageshwara Rao, officials made a presentation on the height options for the project and the quantum of water that could be utilised at various levels.
Officials informed Revanth that the state government had spent nearly Rs 11,000 crore on the Pranahita-Chevella project and that canal works had been completed in several stretches. They said 71.5 km of canal excavation had already been finished.
Revanth asked Uttam to write to Union Minister G Kishan Reddy seeking his intervention with the Maharashtra government. Uttam was also asked to discuss the matter with Kishan on Thursday.
CM: TG will pay compensation if Maha is affected by Tummidihatti
Experts said a barrage at 150 metres would enable utilisation of at least 100 tmcft while protecting Telangana’s interests. They added that such an option would also help make use of works already completed.
The chief minister noted that Maharashtra had earlier agreed to a height of 148 metres, while a 152-metre structure would lead to submergence in Maharashtra. As a middle path, engineers proposed a 150-metre barrage, which would also allow diversion of water at lower cost. He directed officials to immediately begin consultations with Maharashtra, stating that a 150-metre barrage would not cause major submergence there. He said that if any areas were affected, the Telangana government was ready to pay compensation.
He also directed officials to speed up geo-testing works linked to restoration of the Medigadda barrage and complete them before the monsoon.
Four alignment proposals under scrutiny, says Uttam
Earlier in the day, Uttam said four alternative alignment proposals for linking Tummidihatti with Yellampalli were under examination by the state government. “Each proposal is being examined in detail for its cost, advantages and disadvantages,” Uttam said at a preparatory meeting held ahead of the chief minister’s review on irrigation projects.
He said RV Associates and IIT Hyderabad had been asked to study the options and had submitted joint recommendations, which were now being scrutinised for feasibility, cost and efficiency.
The minister said the Congress government remained committed to construction of the Pranahita-Chevella project in line with its election promises and had already prepared detailed proposals. “We are making every possible effort to divert water from Tummidihatti to Yellampalli so that irrigation water reaches lakhs of acres,” Uttam said.
He also issued directions for urgent restoration of the Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages before the onset of the monsoon. Officials were asked to conduct standard penetration tests every 1.5 metres and permeability tests every three metres.
The coordination committee appointed for barrage restoration was asked to visit the sites immediately and fix a clear timeline. The minister also said the director of CWPRS should be available at field level to speed up restoration works and regular progress reports must be sent to the National Dam Safety Authority.
