Harish Rao reviews Sitarama project.

Stating that around 3,200 acres has already been acquired of the total required land of 10,150 acres for the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao has reaffirmed that the project once completed would prove a boon to farmers in both Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Khammam districts.

Mr Harish Rao reviewed the progress of land acquisition for the Sitarama project (the redesigned Dummugudem lift irrigation scheme envisaging integration of Rajivsagar and Indirasagar projects and effective utilisation of Godavari waters) with the officials of the Revenue, Forest and other Departments at the Collectorate in Kothagudem late on Monday afternoon.

Speaking at the review meeting, the Irrigation Minister asked the officials to speed up the land acquisition process, prepare proposals in respect of forest lands required for the Sitarama Project and submit them to the Central Government expeditiously for obtaining the mandatory approvals.

He underlined the need for speedy execution of the works on aqueducts and other related infrastructure of the water delivery system before the next monsoon season.

He reiterated that the land losers will be offered better compensation.

Earlier, Mr Harish along with Minister for Roads and Buildings T Nageswara Rao, Kothagudem MLA Jalagam Venkat Rao and others inspected the Singabhupalem tank restoration works in Sujathnagar mandal.

Addressing a public meeting on the banks of the tank, Mr Harish said the ongoing restoration works will help rejuvenate the tank and enhance its water retention capacity under the Mission Kakatiya tank restoration project.

He assured to sanction adequate funds to modernise the tank to expand its irrigation potential to cover more villages including Karukonda, Degalamadugu in the tribal dominated district. He said repairs will be carried out on the Rallavagu and Nagaram and other lift irrigation schemes in the district to improve irrigation potential.

THE HINDU