Minister Pushes for Accelerated Progress on Dindi Lift Irrigation Project

Hyderabad: State Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has called for an acceleration of work on the Dindi lift irrigation scheme, demanding that officials complete outstanding technical approvals without further delay.

Following a meeting with Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy on Thursday, the Minister convened a review with key irrigation personnel. He tasked Irrigation Secretary E. Sridhar and ENC (General) Ramesh Babu with finalising the water extraction levels from the Yedula Reservoir.

A critical timeline has been set for the project's barrage component. Officials must obtain finance clearances for the barrage structure at Pothireddypalli village by May 15, the Minister stressed, emphasising that prompt commencement of barrage construction remains essential for the overall scheme's timely completion.

Capacity Enhancement Priority

The Minister highlighted the need to boost the carrying capacity of the AMRP SLBC main canal from its current 2,400 cusecs to 4,000 cusecs before concrete lining operations commence. He noted that capacity could subsequently be increased to 6,000 cusecs once the full project reaches completion.

The government has allocated Rs 443 crore for cement concrete lining of the SLBC high-level canal. However, the Minister indicated that widening the canal would take precedence over the lining work.

Scope and Coverage

The Dindi lift irrigation scheme is designed to address water scarcity across seven Assembly constituencies, bringing relief to 228 villages affected by fluoride contamination. The initiative will furnish irrigation facilities across 3.61 lakh acres.

The infrastructure encompasses four online reservoirs and five offline reservoirs, with combined storage reaching 25.31 TMC. Head works are structured into four packages, incorporating the Pothireddypalli barrage and a 16-km tunnel system.

Progress Update

Work on the Dindi balancing reservoir has reached approximately 95 per cent completion, with the current administration responsible for the majority of this progress, according to the Minister.

Challenges remain with a portion of the spillway, which has not yet been completed due to submergence affecting three villages and 180.14 hectares of forest land in Nalgonda and Nagarkurnool districts. The Minister anticipates Stage-I forest clearance approval within the next month, and has directed officials to issue tenders immediately for installing gates at the Dindi balancing reservoir.

The Minister also reviewed updated cost estimates for the Pendlipaka Balancing Reservoir, supporting a proposal to place it before the high-powered committee and State Cabinet at their forthcoming session.