CPI (M) seeks clarity on Sitarama Project ahead of CM Revanth’s Khammam visit

CPI (M) leader Pothineni Sudharshan Rao accused the Congress government of neglecting the Sitarama Project, meant to irrigate seven lakh acres in Khammam and Mahabubabad districts. He alleged that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy failed to honour his 2024 promise to complete the project by August 2026.

Khammam: The Congress government was neglecting the Sitarama Project intended to irrigate seven lakh acres in erstwhile Khammam district and Mahabubabad district, alleged CPI (M) State secretariat member Pothineni Sudharshan Rao.

He said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had disregarded the promise made during the 2024 Wyra public meeting where he pledged to release the required funds and make the project operational by August 15, 2026.

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Speaking to the media here on Thursday, the CPI (M) leader demanded that the Chief Minister, who is scheduled to address ‘Rythu Ashirwada Sabha’ in Chintakani mandal on June 30, should tell the public when the project would be completed.

Though Khammam district has three ministers and has supported the Congress party in the Assembly elections the government neglected the district. The deadline set by the Chief Minister to complete the project by August 15, 2026, is now only a month and a half away.

The Chief Minister in 2024 stated that Rs 8,000 crore had already been spent on the project, which has an estimated cost of Rs 18,000 crore and that it would be completed in two years with the remaining Rs 10,000 crore.

The estimated cost had risen from Rs 18,000 crore to Rs 19,000 crore. Two budgets had been presented since the Chief Minister gave his assurance, yet only Rs 600 crore was allocated so far, Sudharshan Rao noted.

He alleged that the three ministers have shared the project canal works among them. Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy was handling Munneru-to-Paleru link canal, while Tummala Nageswara Rao was working on the Rajiv canal and Bhatti Vikramarka on Jawaharlal canal.

The CPI (M) leader questioned the utility of digging canals when the project itself remains incomplete. By the time the Congress party came to power, 104 km of the 124-km-long project canals had already been completed.

If Julurupadu and Dammaigudem tunnels were finished at the 104-km mark, Godavari waters would flow into Palair reservoir. It was shameful that out of Rs 22,000 crore allocated for irrigation projects in this year’s budget; a mere Rs 360 crore was earmarked for Sitarama project, Sudharshan Rao said.

While welcoming Chief Minister’s visit to Khammam for the release of ‘Rythu Bharosa’ funds for the 2026 Kharif season, the CPI (M) leader demanded that he clarify when ‘Rythu Bharosa’ funds for the 2024 and 2025 Rabi seasons would be released.