Kupti Project: The Next Frontier for Adilabad Irrigation.

The demand for the construction of the Kupti project on the Kadam River has gained momentum following Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s recent inauguration of the Sadarmat and Nirmal barrages in the Adilabad and Nirmal districts.

The state government views the Kupti project as critical for ensuring year-round water flow to the Kuntala Waterfall, a major tourist attraction in the region. The previous BRS government had granted administrative approval for the project through a government order. The proposed project aims to store 5.20 TMC of water to supplement the Kadam Reservoir and was initially estimated to cost ₹870 crore.

Adilabad District Congress President Naresh Jadhav and Boath MLA Anil Jadhav have urged the Chief Minister to expedite the project’s implementation. However, concerns remain at the local level. In August 2024, residents of Kupti village in Neredigonda mandal staged protests, demanding consultations on rehabilitation and resettlement before any land acquisition begins. The villagers have also called for amendments to the earlier government orders to safeguard their agricultural land.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.