Telangana: Four irrigation projects get six-month deadline for clearance

Following the Supreme Court's judgment on environmental clearance procedures, the Telangana government has set a six-month deadline to secure clearances for PRLIS, Sitarama Sagar, Dindi and Gouravelli projects while expediting documentation, legal compliance and scientific assessments related to Polavaram backwaters.

Hyderabad: Following the Supreme Court judgment on environmental clearance procedures, the Telangana government has set a six-month target for securing environmental clearances for four key irrigation projects, including the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), Sitarama Sagar, Dindi and Gouravelli projects.

A high-level review meeting chaired by Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy decided to pursue pending cases with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and other statutory authorities on a project-wise basis.

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The department has been directed to designate nodal officers and consolidate records within seven days, complete updated environmental studies, compliance reports, land records and legal documents within 30 days, and complete major administrative and application processing stages within 60 days. Weekly progress reports and monthly senior-level reviews have been mandated.

The Minister directed officials to examine project-wise proposals that were rejected earlier and resubmit them wherever legally permissible after addressing technical and procedural deficiencies. He also ordered the strengthening of the department’s Inter-State wing with technical, environmental and legal expertise to pursue cases before the Central authorities, the National Green Tribunal and courts.

Gouravelli has been given an additional operational push, with engineers being asked to inspect, test and repair the pump house and ensure it is kept ready for operation. The left and right canal systems will also be inspected to identify bottlenecks, including incomplete excavation, bund-cutting requirements, water release points and road crossings.

For Sitarama Sagar, updated studies and environmental documentation are to be completed and engineering plans kept ready for the resumption of works after the requisite clearances. Dedicated teams will pursue clearances for PRLIS and Dindi.

The meeting also reviewed the potential impact of the Polavaram backwaters on Telangana. Officials were directed to fast-track scientific assessments of possible submergence and prepare documented claims covering land, habitations, infrastructure and other assets for submission to the Centre and the concerned authorities for compensation.

Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Ponnam Prabhakar and MP Balaram Naik also attended the review meeting.