Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao clarified that no new irrigation project has been taken since the formation of Telangana State, but the TRS Government has re-designed five Major Irrigation projects after taking clearance from Central Water Commission (CWC).
The projects which have been re-designed are Pranahitha Chevella Sujala Sravathi, JCR Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, Indiramma Flood Flow Canal, P.V. Narasimha Rao Kanthanapally Sujala Sravanthi and Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project.
Answering to a question raised by BJP MLA K. Kishan Reddy, Dr. K.Laxman and others, the Minister said to rectify certain critical deficiencies in terms of Hydrology, location, unresolved interstate aspects, storage requirements these projects had been re-designed, without re-designing viability of certain projects was not possible.
The Central Water Commission advised to review the quantum of divertible flows from Pranahitha Barrage at Tummidihetti and increase the storage capacity of online reservoirs or construct artificial storage capacity of online reservoirs or construct artificial reservoirs to meet the storage requirements of the projects.
He informed that these projects had been re-designed with an increased cost of Rs. 61,489.92 crores for achieving an additional 30 lakh acres of new and stablization of ayacut under these projects.
Storage capacity of online reservoirs is increased up to 206.36 TMC, increase the scope for fisheries, tourism and inland water transportation due to rejuvenation of Godavari River for a length of 250 km.
Replying to another question of G. Sunitha of TRS and others, the Minister said that works from Medigadda Barrage to Sripada Yellampally project and to Mid-Manair Reservoir and further to Komaravelli Mallanna Sagar and to Konda Pochamma Sagar are in advanced stage.
He said the construction of pump houses and lifts of Kaleshwaram project is in progress, with this new Ayacut will be 18,25,700, stabilization of ayacut is 18,82,970, total this project will give water to 37,08,670 acres. (INN)