Centre clears the line for Sita Rama lift irrigation project

In what can be considered a win for Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, the Union Minister of Environment and Forests has cleared the way for Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project by recommending its clearance.  The clearance has been given with the proviso that the environmental management plan (EMP) shall be strictly adhered. A sum of Rs 1,158.72 crore has been allocated in the Budget for its implementation.  

The clearance comes within days of the Chief Minister calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention for the issuance of early approvals of projects. The orders passed on Tuesday mandate that five years after the project is commissioned, a study would be undertaken to record the project’s impact on the environment and ecology in the region. The study shall be undertaken by an independent agency, decided in consultation with the Ministry.

Public hearings for the project were conducted in three districts — Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Khammam and Mahabubabad — last year. The proposed project is to divert Godavari river water from upstream areas of existing Dummugudem anicut to irrigate 2,72,921 hectares, including a new ayacut of 1,33,085 hectares and stabilisation of about 1,39,836 hectares in the three districts. The total estimated cost of the project is around Rs 13,384.80 crore and is proposed to be completed in three years. The project envisages construction of a head regulator at Dummugudem Anicut. It would draw water from Godavari through an approach canal.