Telangana examines four options to link Tummidihatti with Yellampalli

The Telangana government is examining four alternative proposals to link Tummidihatti with Yellampalli to optimise Godavari water usage. Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy also reviewed barrage restoration works and stressed timely completion before the monsoon.

Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said the State government was examining four alternative alignment proposals for linking Tummidihatti with Yellampalli to optimise water drawal from River Godavari.

He held a preparatory meeting with officials ahead of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s review on irrigation projects.

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During the meeting, the Minister said RV Associates and IIT Hyderabad were commissioned to study the options. They had submitted their joint recommendations, which were now being scrutinised for feasibility, cost and efficiency, he said.

“The Congress government is fully committed to the construction of the Pranahita-Chevella project in line with the promises made in its election manifesto,” Uttam Kumar Reddy stressed.

The Minister said the government had already prepared detailed proposals for the project’s construction.

“We are making every possible effort to divert water from Tummidihatti to Yellampalli so that irrigation water reaches lakhs of acres,” he stated.

Each proposal was being examined in detail for its cost, advantages and disadvantages, the Minister said.

“We will take a final decision after a review meeting with the Chief Minister this evening,” he said.

He also gave instructions for the urgent restoration of the Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages. All necessary tests must be completed before the onset of the monsoon, he directed officials.

The Minister wanted Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) to be conducted every 1.5 metres. Similarly, permeability tests must be carried out every 3 metres. Even if the bore drilling taken up as part of the exercise hits rock, the holes must be drilled at least 5 metres deep, he ordered.

The coordination committee appointed for barrage restoration works should visit the sites immediately and fix a clear timeline. He wanted the Director of CWPRS to be available at the field level to ensure restoration works were completed at the earliest.

Regular and comprehensive updates on the progress of restoration works must be sent to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), he stressed.