Khammam/Sathupalli – With the monsoon season approaching, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao has pressed for urgent action on key irrigation projects in Telangana. He has set a strict four-month deadline to complete the Yathalakunta tunnel, part of the larger Sitarama Lift Irrigation Scheme (SLIS).
On Friday, the Minister visited the tunnel site in Sathupalli mandal, joined by Khammam District Collector Muzammil Khan and Bhadradri Kothagudem Collector Jitesh V Patil. Local MLAs Jare Adinarayana (Aswaraopet) and Matta Ragamayi (Sathupalli) also took part in the inspection.
Out of the 1.8-km tunnel, workers have finished 1.2 km so far. The Minister directed officials to finish the remaining 600 meters within the next four months. He suggested adding another ladder if needed and asked for quick completion of supporting structures like aqueducts.
Tummala stressed the importance of land acquisition to move forward without delays. “We must deliver Godavari river water to farmers by this monsoon,” he said. He pointed out that the government has already invested heavily in the Rajiv Canal and Sitarama project, and now it’s time for those efforts to show real benefits.
The Chief Minister has already launched the main canal and three pump houses under the SLIS. The focus now shifts to starting the Rajiv Link Canal, the Maredupaka Lift Irrigation Scheme at Tummalapalli in Pinapaka, and supplying water to tanks in Kothagudem.
Tummala also announced that about 25,000 acres of new farmland will receive water, and irrigation for 1.3 lakh acres will be stabilized under the Wyra project. He assured farmers that even if Nagarjunasagar’s water levels fall short, irrigation will not be affected.
The Minister emphasized that the goal is to make Khammam and Kothagudem districts rich in agriculture. He promised that areas like Sathupalli, Pinapaka, Madhira, Wyra, and Ashwaraopet will get irrigation water this year.
Finally, he ordered officials to clean the Sitarama main canal and ensure that once water is released, it reaches the Wyra project quickly and efficiently.
