Game Changer: Telangana's ₹19,325 Cr Push for Sita Rama Irrigation

The Telangana government has approved a 48% increase in the cost estimate of the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Scheme (SRLIS), raising the project outlay from ₹13,058 crore to ₹19,325 crore, Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao announced.

The revised estimate is aimed at creating irrigation potential for 3.29 lakh acres of new ayacut and stabilizing 3.45 lakh acres of existing ayacut across 31 mandals in 11 constituencies of Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, and Mahabubabad districts. While the 104-km main canal is already complete, the additional funding will enable modernization of distributaries and field channels.

Progress includes the completion of 60 km of the Sattupalli Trunk (tunnel) and Palair Link Canal, with the remaining 125 km expected to be finished within a year. Tenders have been floated for eight distributaries, and land acquisition and Grama Sabha consultations are underway.

By June 2026, the government targets releasing 1,600 cusecs of water to stabilize 1.21 lakh acres under the Nagarjunasagar Left Canal and to fill minor irrigation tanks. The revised budget also supports the timely completion of critical components such as the Yathalakunta tunnel (by December 2025) and the Julurupadu tunnel (by end-2026), enabling water supply to over 120 minor irrigation tanks and enhancing agricultural resilience in the region.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.