The Telangana Government is implementing measures to strengthen the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and expand its ayacut, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
He made the announcement during a review meeting on the Nagarjuna Sagar project held at Jala Soudha on Tuesday.
Uttam asked officials to prioritise the repair of the NSP and its canal network. He also urged the Nalgonda Collector to speed up land acquisition for irrigation projects.
Stressing the importance of timely completion, he said that land acquisition must not hinder project progress and should be treated as top priority.
Uttam also stressed that there are approximately 334 lift irrigation schemes, either fully operational or partially functional, with a combined ayacut of 4,69,138 acres. He directed officials to prioritise the restoration of all these projects to their full capacity, with focus on small lift irrigation schemes in fund allocation and implementation.
He emphasised that while major irrigation schemes require substantial capital investment and recurring costs, smaller schemes need only comparatively lower funds and maintenance costs and offer a better cost-benefit ratio.
He stressed that small irrigation schemes are more effective in serving farmers and instructed officials to ensure they are fully functional by prioritising repairs and related works to achieve the ayacut of 4,69,138 acres. He directed officials to speed up works on the Nellikal Lift Irrigation Scheme, which sources water from the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir. The scheme, estimated to cost Rs 664.80 crore, aims to provide irrigation to approximately 24,624 acres.
Uttam asked officials to divide the project into two phases and ensure the completion of Phase-I to irrigate 7,600 acres by the Kharif season.
Govt to strengthen Nagarjuna Sagar, expand its ayacut: Uttam
