Date:16/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/16/stories/2006101604810600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Major irrigation project for Telangana on the anvil

Staff Reporter

To be completed within 3-4 years of foundation: YSR

KARIMNAGAR: The comprehensive project report for the execution of the Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation project would be completed by January 2007 and the foundation for the ambitious project, which was aimed at transforming the Telangana region, would be laid in April or May 2007.

Disclosing this to newsmen after a day-long review meeting with the district officials on various developmental works here on Sunday, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said that they would complete the Pranahita-Chevella irrigation project within three to four years after laying the foundation stone. Expressing satisfaction over the progress of SRSP Flood flow canal and Sripadasagar project, he said that they would also take up the Kaleshwaram project and Mid Manair Dam reservoir soon to provide additional ayacut in the district.

Assured irrigation

"If all the ongoing irrigation projects and new projects are completed, the farmers of the district would get assured irrigation facilities for some 17 lakh acres for two crops and the district would be one of the best in the State on the irrigation front,'' he maintained. He said that the SRSP was providing irrigation facilities to about 8.7 lakh acres in the district. The completion of FFC and Sripadasagar would provide an additional ayacut of 5.3 lakh acres. He said that he was holding consultations with the neighbouring Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh states' Chief Ministers for the execution of the joint Inchampalli project. He promised to take measures for its execution by holding parleys with the neighbouring States.