The Telangana government has resolved to complete the long-pending Devadula lift irrigation scheme (DLIS) within a year, placing the project on a fast track. The decision was announced by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday after a high-level review of the project, following a directive from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for focused action.
The Chief Minister has assured a special package for under-construction irrigation projects, with funds already being released. While Deccan Chronicle reported a package of Rs 6,000 crore, of which Rs 2,500 crore had been released, The Hindu's account cited a ₹5,000 crore special package, with about ₹2,500 crore already released. Both reports confirmed the release of approximately Rs 2,500 crore.
The review meeting, which included ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy and Danasari 'Seethakka' Anasuya, Chief Minister's adviser Vem Narender Reddy, MP P. Balram Naik, several MLAs including Kadiam Srihari, and senior irrigation department officials, assessed the project's progress component by component. According to The Hindu, the focus was on land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R), and forest-related issues, with bottlenecks identified and specific measures discussed to overcome them.
The minister stated that the government would release required funds immediately wherever land acquisition processes and award procedures were completed. He also expressed regret over the project's delay, saying it was 'unfortunate' that a project of such importance, taken up nearly two decades ago, had remained incomplete due to neglect by successive governments, as reported by The Hindu.
The Devadula scheme is designed to lift about 38 tmc ft of Godavari water to irrigate nearly six lakh acres across several districts. Deccan Chronicle listed Hanamkonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Jangaon, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Suryapet, Siddipet, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Mulugu, and Jayashankar Bhupalpalli, while The Hindu's account included Hanumakonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Jangaon, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Suryapet, Siddipet, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Mulugu, and Jayashankar Bhupalpally.
A key decision from Tuesday's review was to ensure maximum possible pumping from the Godavari using all available pumping facilities, according to both reports. This approach aims to convey the maximum quantity of water to command areas and reservoirs served by the project. The minister emphasized that all available pumping facilities should be optimally operated, as reported by The Hindu.
The Chief Minister's intent, as conveyed by the minister, is to complete Devadula on a fast track to ensure the intended benefits reach farmers at the earliest. The project, which has been in the works for years, is seen as critical for irrigation in the region, and the government's renewed focus signals a push to deliver its benefits sooner.