Hyderabad: Irrigation, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday described the J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme (JCRDLIS) as a lifeline for Telangana’s upland, drought-prone districts. He urged officials to complete the project at the earliest. After visiting the Sammakka Sarakka Barrage and the off-take point at Gangaram in Mulugu district, he reviewed progress with engineers and project managers.
JCRDLIS aims to irrigate 5.57 lakh acres in Hanamkonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Jangaon, Yadadri, Suryapet and Siddipet. The scheme has a total lift of 469 metres and will use 38.16 TMC over 170 pumping days. It includes pump houses, rising and delivery mains, balancing reservoirs and a canal network.
Devadula project Telangana needs ₹4,331 crore for final push
Uttam said the revised cost stands at ₹18,500 crore, with ₹14,168.49 crore already spent. He stressed that ₹4,331.51 crore is urgently needed to pay contractors, finish encasement works, and complete land acquisition. Once finished, the project will stabilise ayacut, provide drinking water to rural communities, improve crop yields, and reduce migration from dry regions.
Earlier, Uttam joined Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other ministers at the foundation stone ceremony for the ₹630.30-crore Jawahar Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS) in Madhira mandal, Khammam district. Calling it a “game changer,” he promised completion within one year. The project will irrigate 33,000 acres — 13,000 under Nidhanapuram major, 10,000 under Jamalapuram major, and 5,000 under Mailavaram major. In total, 12 villages in Madhira mandal will receive water for 13,219 acres, while 23 villages in Errupalem mandal will get water for 19,800 acres.
The minister credited Bhatti for securing quick sanction and clearances. He said Jawahar LIS reflects Telangana’s policy of delivering maximum water at minimal cost.
On broader water policy, Uttam reaffirmed Telangana’s claim to 71% of Krishna river waters. He criticised the previous BRS government for accepting only 34%. Despite inheriting a ₹7-lakh-crore debt, he said, the Congress government is repaying loans, honouring election promises, and maintaining 24-hour electricity — including free power up to 200 units for eligible households.
Uttam also praised Bhatti’s leadership during opposition years. He acknowledged cabinet colleagues Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Vakkati Srihari and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, along with district leaders. He saluted Congress workers in the undivided Khammam district for their “hard work and sacrifice,” which he said brought the party back to power in Telangana.
