Ground reality contradicts Telangana government’s PRLIS completion claims

Despite the Telangana government's commitment to complete the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme within fixed timelines, unresolved water allocation issues, the return of the DPR by the Central Water Commission and financial constraints have raised doubts over meeting the announced deadlines

Hyderabad: Despite Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s assurances that the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) would be given top priority and completed within fixed timelines, the progress on the ground tells a different story.

Following his two-day visit to the erstwhile Palamuru region last month, the Chief Minister announced that works from the headworks to Uddandapur would be completed by June 2027. He also said the stretch up to Lakshmidevpalli would be completed six months later.

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The announcement came after the main Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) criticised the State government for delaying the project. The government reviewed the project’s progress only after the BRS announced plans to visit the PRLIS works.

However, officials are yet to process the Detailed Project Report (DPR), as issues related to water allocation and tribunal proceedings remain unresolved.

Adding to the delay, the Central Water Commission (CWC) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has returned the DPR to the Telangana government, seeking additional details.

Last week, Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravi raised the issue in the Lok Sabha, asking whether the Ministry had received the DPR from the State government. In its written reply, the Ministry said the CWC had received the DPR but returned it, asking the State government to submit a comprehensive plan explaining how the entire project would achieve its intended benefits.

The Centre also ruled out any immediate proposal to grant national project status to the PRLIS. The Ministry informed Parliament that no irrigation project was currently under consideration for declaration as a national project.

According to the Ministry, the criteria for granting national project status are laid down under the PMKSY-AIBP and National Projects guidelines. Such status is generally accorded to projects of national importance that involve inter-State or international water issues or create or restore significant irrigation potential.

Considering all these factors, especially the financial situation of the State government, completing the PRLIS within the announced deadlines will be a herculean task.