Hyderabad, Aug 2026 : The Telangana government has decided to maximise the utilisation of available Godavari River water by stepping up lift operations under major irrigation projects, including Yellampalli, Devadula and Sitarama.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday directed Irrigation Department officials to ensure that available water resources are utilised to the optimum level through lift irrigation operations. He issued the directions during a review meeting of the department, where the status of several irrigation projects and rehabilitation measures was discussed.
The Chief Minister noted that water is currently not being stored in the Sundilla, Annaram and Medigadda barrages, which form part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, in accordance with recommendations of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). He directed officials to strictly adhere to the safety recommendations issued by the authority.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy informed the meeting that defects had been identified in the Medigadda and Sundilla barrages. In response, Revanth Reddy instructed officials to immediately consult the NDSA and seek appropriate guidance on addressing the issues.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the ongoing lifting operations under the Devadula project. Uttam Kumar Reddy informed him that water was currently being lifted using nine pumps, describing the scale of the operation as unprecedented.
Revanth Reddy directed officials to pay particular attention to resolving even minor technical and operational issues affecting lift irrigation systems under the Devadula and Sitarama projects. He stressed the need to ensure smooth operations so that the maximum possible quantity of Godavari water could be utilised.
The meeting also reviewed pending compensation payments to farmers whose lands were acquired for various irrigation projects. The Chief Minister instructed officials to prepare a detailed action plan for the immediate release of compensation to affected farmers.
Irrigation and Revenue Department officials were asked to undertake field visits and prepare factual reports on villages vulnerable to submergence, along with details of pending compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement issues.
Revanth Reddy emphasised that compensation should be released without delay in villages facing an immediate impact from the projects. He said resolving these issues would facilitate the filling of the Baswapur and Gouravelli irrigation projects with water.
The Chief Minister further directed officials to conduct a comprehensive study on enhancing the capacity of the Gattu and Gudemdoddi lift irrigation schemes. He also ordered the appointment of a consultant for the proposed Gudemdoddi pumped-storage project.
The review meeting was attended by Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary V. Seshadri, CM Secretary Manicka Raj, State Irrigation Secretary E. Sridhar and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Commissioner Shiva Kumar Naidu, among other senior officials.
The government’s latest directions underline its focus on improving the efficiency of existing irrigation infrastructure while ensuring dam safety, timely compensation and rehabilitation for project-affected communities.
