Nagarjunasagar Waters To Irrigate Nalgonda, Khammam for Two Crops

 Nalgonda: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday announced that irrigation facilities would be provided to the area under irrigation from the Nagarjunasagar waters in Nalgonda, Suryapet and Khammam districts for two crops this year. Funds required for desilting and removing bushes in the Nagarjunasagar left canal and its minor canals would be sanctioned within 24 hours.

Accompanied by officials, Uttam Kumar Reddy inspected the intake well of the lift irrigation scheme at Dunnapothulagandi and held a review meeting with the officials.

Reddy assured that Rs 490 crore would be released for completion of five lift irrigation schemes in Miryalaguda Assembly constituency within a year. He instructed the contracting agency to complete the works in stipulated time.

Stating that there was no funds crunch. Uttam Kumar Reddy assured that a second lift irrigation scheme at Vachya thanda and three check dams would be sanctioned as sought by Miryalaguda MLA B. Laxma Reddy.

Nagarjuna sagar project chief engineer Nageshwar Rao, in a presentation, said that the lift irrigation scheme at Gandipothulagandi in Adavidevulapally was taken up with `219 to provide irrigation facilities to 12,239 acres. Works on the pump house and the approach canal were under progress, he said.

Around `259 crore has been sanctioned for the Bothalapalem lift irrigation scheme in Damaracherla mandal, which will take up irrigation needs in 8,610 acres.

Laxma Reddy alleged that the BRS government had not taken up any measures to complete lift irrigation schemes in Miryalaguda Assembly constituency.

Later, the irrigation minister conducted a review meeting at Devarakonda about the progress of works with regard to Dindi lift irrigation scheme. He said that they will complete the scheme and provide irrigation facilities to 3.5 lakh acres. The cabinet would soon approve the revised estimation of Rs 460 crore for completion of SLBC tunnel.

The Ambabhavanai and Kambalapally lift irrigation schemes, which have been taken up in Devarakonda Assembly constituency, would also be completed soon, he said.

Munugodu MLA Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, Devarakonda MLA Kethavath Balu Naik, district collector C Narayana Reddy and officials of irrigation department attended the review meeting.