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Parts of the RCC side-lining of the Sitarama Project Rajiv link canal were washed away again at Julurpad in Kothagudem, raising concerns over the quality of the works. Farmers fear further erosion and possible breaches as water continues flowing.

Less than a month after water was released into the Rajiv link canal of the Sitarama Project in Khammam district, portions of its RCC lining have disintegrated, exposing the earthen embankment. Farmers have alleged poor quality construction and demanded immediate repairs.

Telangana Rythu Sangham has urged the State government to release Rs 9,000 crore to complete the Sitarama Project. The farmers' body also sought resolution of pattadar passbook issues, timely maize procurement payments and free urea booking at Mee Seva centres.

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.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused three Congress Ministers in Khammam district of failing to complete the Sitarama irrigation project despite 80 per cent of the works being finished. He alleged that the Congress government deceived farmers and promised that BRS would complete the project if voted back to power.

Telangana Rythu Sangham workers staged a protest in Khammam against reduced funding for the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, demanding higher allocation, compensation for displaced families and immediate steps to ensure the project’s timely completion.

Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao said Godavari water will soon reach four mandals under the NSP ayacut in Khammam. While the Sitarama project water helps Khammam farmers, those in Kothagudem protest the diversion, demanding irrigation for their own farmlands

BRS leaders were detained in Paloncha during a protest against the alleged diversion of Godavari water from the Sitarama project to Khammam. They accused the Congress government of neglecting Kothagudem’s farmers. Tension briefly flared before leaders were released

Harish Rao dismissed Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy’s claims that the permission for the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project was pending

The farmers entered into heated arguments with the official complaining that even after six months over since the lands were acquired for the canal compensation was not paid

The project is now expected to extend well beyond its deadline, with estimates indicating that it may stretch beyond March 2026 for completion

The dispute, which saw both senior officials engaging in a fierce argument, prompted the issuance of show-cause notices to the ENC General and the Project Chief Engineer

Nearly 40-50 ft of bund of the canal washed away at the project's second pumphouse near VK Ramavaram in Mulakalapalli

The affected farmers said the hurried inauguration of the project pump houses had turned futile as water was not released into the canal after the inauguration

CM Revanth Reddy started lifting of water at Sitarama project pump house at Pusugudem

CPM district secretary Nunna Nageswara Rao in his letter to the Chief Minister said even if he starts an incomplete Sitarama project, sufficient funds have to be allotted to complete it.

He said while around 90 per cent of the project was completed by the K Chandrashekhar Rao government, the Congress Ministers got an opportunity to inaugurate it.

Speaking to the media here on Wednesday, he complained that the three ministers in the district were trying to take credit for the project.

According to engineering officials, it would take another one and a half years to complete the project, that too if everything goes according to plan.

Ahead of the project inauguration on August 15 by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, he said the Congress is misleading the public by claiming to have completed the project within just seven months.