CM Revanth Urges Centre to Fast-Track Green Nod for Telangana Irrigation Projects

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged the Union Government to expedite environmental clearances for four major irrigation projects, stating that prolonged delays have halted construction despite the state investing over ₹42,800 crore in the schemes.

During his visit to New Delhi, the Chief Minister, accompanied by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav in Parliament and sought immediate approvals for the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Gouravelli Reservoir Project, Seethamma Sagar Project, and the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme.

Explaining the state's position, Revanth Reddy said the pending environmental permissions have become the biggest obstacle to completing the projects. He noted that Telangana has already invested ₹36,437 crore in the Palamuru–Rangareddy Project, ₹3,187 crore in the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme, ₹1,835 crore in the Seethamma Sagar Project, and ₹1,350 crore in the Gouravelli Project. Despite this significant expenditure, construction has slowed considerably due to the absence of mandatory clearances, resulting in rising project costs and delaying benefits to farmers.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the recent Supreme Court verdict concerning Telangana's irrigation projects, stating that it has effectively removed legal hurdles surrounding environmental approvals. He urged the Centre to capitalise on the favourable ruling and grant the pending clearances without further delay.

The four projects are central to Telangana's long-term irrigation and water management strategy. The Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, among the state's largest infrastructure initiatives, is designed to draw surplus floodwaters from the Krishna River to irrigate drought-prone regions while also supplying drinking water to villages, towns and industrial clusters. The Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme aims to stabilise existing ayacut and create additional irrigation potential, whereas the Seethamma Sagar and Gouravelli projects are expected to improve reservoir storage, strengthen irrigation networks and enhance agricultural productivity.

State officials believe the timely completion of these projects will significantly improve water security, expand irrigation coverage and support rural livelihoods across several districts. The Chief Minister stressed that prompt environmental approvals would help prevent further cost escalation, accelerate construction and ensure that the intended benefits reach lakhs of farming families at the earliest.

The meeting was attended by MPs Anil Kumar Yadav, Vem Narender Reddy, Dr Mallu Ravi, Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy, Porika Balaram Naik, Gaddam Vamsi Krishna, and Dr Kadiyam Kavya. Also present were A.P. Jitender Reddy, the Telangana Government's Special Representative in New Delhi, Irrigation Advisor Adityanath Das, and senior officials.