Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy made a firm commitment on Sunday. He assured the public that the Munneru-Palair link canal project will finish quickly. The minister pledged to have it fully operational and inaugurated by January 2027.
Foundation Ceremony in Khammam
Uttam Kumar Reddy spoke at a public meeting in Khammam. This followed the foundation-laying ceremony for the project. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy performed the ceremony. The project carries an estimated cost of 162.54 crore rupees.
The minister described the initiative as low-cost but high-impact. He called it a historic moment for the entire region. Uttam credited the current administration for taking action. He also alleged decade-long neglect by the previous BRS government.
Project Details and Benefits
The Munneru-Palair link is a gravity-based scheme. It aims to divert surplus floodwater from the Munneru river. This water currently flows unused into the sea. The project will channel it through a 9.6 km link canal to the Palair reservoir.
Completion is expected within one year. The inauguration is slated for January 2027 by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Major Irrigation Advantages
The project promises significant benefits for agriculture. It will stabilize irrigation for 1.38 lakh acres under the Nagarjuna Sagar project left canal. This area is downstream of Palair in Khammam district.
An additional 40,000 acres upstream in Suryapet district will also gain. The link will support other schemes including SRSP Phase-2. This could benefit between 56,000 and 76,000 acres seasonally.
Cost Savings and Power Generation
Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted substantial financial savings. The link canal will reduce annual electricity costs by 120 crore rupees for the Sitarama lift irrigation project. This shift from pumping to gravity flow creates the saving.
The scheme will also generate 2 MW of hydropower. This will come from the existing hydel plant downstream of Palair.
Flood Mitigation and Water Supply
The project will help mitigate flood risks. Areas across Khammam, Suryapet, and Mahabubabad districts will see reduced danger.
An annual allocation of 4.7 TMC of water will bolster Mission Bhagiratha. This will provide drinking water to communities in Khammam, Mahabubabad, and Suryapet districts.
Connection to Sitarama Project
Uttam linked the Munneru-Palair canal to the acceleration of the Sitarama lift irrigation project. The SRLIP aims to deliver Godavari water to 6.8 lakh acres in the erstwhile Khammam district.
The Congress government revised project estimates. The cost increased from 13,000 crore to 19,000 crore rupees. A water allocation of 67 TMC was also made by the Congress administration.
The minister noted that three pump houses were activated last year. A fourth is currently under rapid construction.
Call for Collaboration
Uttam Kumar Reddy appealed for collaboration. He asked local leaders, stakeholders, and the public to work together. He expressed confidence that the link canal will transform the lives of farmers. The transformation will specifically benefit those in Khammam, Suryapet, and Mahabubabad.
