Will complete Palamuru project by 2026: Uttam Kumar Reddy

Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state govt is committed to completing the (PRLIS) by Dec 2026.Replying to a question in the legislative council, Uttam said the project remains a top priority for the govt and dismissed allegations of neglect. He said significant progress was made in both physical and financial terms.Uttam said that Rs 32,305 crore was already spent on the project so far, against the initial administrative approval of Rs 35,200 crore. However, he mentioned that an additional Rs 33,201 crore would be required to complete the remaining works, bringing the total project cost to approximately Rs 65,506 crore.He explained that PRLIS is being executed in 18 packages, including four lift packages and 14 civil works packages. The main works include approach channels, open canals, tunnels, pump houses, and reservoirs, spanning four major stages.The minister said stage I pumping station was successfully commissioned on Sept 16, 2023, while stage II, stage III, and stage IV pumping stations are nearing completion and are expected to be commissioned shortly. This marks significant milestones in addressing irrigation and drinking water needs in Telangana's drought-prone areas, he claimed.The minister said the govt has already taken steps to secure the necessary funding and clearances to ensure timely completion. "PRLIS is designed to irrigate 12.3 lakh acres across districts, including Nagarkurnool, Mahabubnagar, Vikarabad, Rangareddy, Narayanpet and Nalgonda. The project will also supply drinking water to surrounding villages and support industrial use by lifting 90 tmc of flood water for 60 days from the foreshore of the Srisailam project on Krishna river," he added.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Diwali wishes, messages and quotes !