Modi to Pressure Telangana on Key Irrigation Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review two major irrigation projects in Telangana—the J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Indiramma Flood Flow Canal (IFFC)—on October 29 in New Delhi.

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has called Telangana Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and senior irrigation officials for discussions focused on unresolved issues and funding needs under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).

The Devadula project, now estimated at ₹13,445 crore—more than twice its original cost—aims to irrigate 2.49 lakh hectares by lifting 38.16 TMC of water from the Godavari River. However, land acquisition across nine districts, covering 819 hectares, remains a significant hurdle.

The IFFC project is designed to bring irrigation to drought-prone areas in six districts by diverting 20 TMC of floodwaters from the Godavari through a gravity-cum-lift system using the Mid Manair and Gouravelli reservoirs. It targets a command area of 32,378 hectares.

The state is expected to seek additional central funding to accelerate progress, with the Devadula project currently slated for completion by 2027.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.