Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated Telangana’s commitment to compensate affected landowners in accordance with Chhattisgarh’s norms, even proposing an advance payment to expedite the clearance process.
Published Sep 23, 2025 | 10:31 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 23, 2025 | 10:31 AM
Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Synopsis: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has given in-principle approval to issue an NOC for the Sammakka Sagar Project on the Godavari River. While Telangana stands to gain significantly, the project’s backwaters will extend into the Bhoopalpatnam tahsil of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh.
In what is being seen as a breakthrough for Telangana, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has given in-principle approval to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Sammakka Sagar Project on the Godavari River.
The development followed a meeting in Raipur on Monday, 22 September, between Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy and the Chhattisgarh chief minister.
Briefing reporters after the talks, Uttam Kumar Reddy said he had submitted a detailed memorandum, assuring that Telangana would fully bear the costs of land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation for submergence-affected areas in Chhattisgarh.
He described the positive response from Vishnu Deo Sai as a “long-awaited step” that paves the way for Central Water Commission approval.
The Sammakka Sagar Barrage, under construction at Tupakulagudem in Mulugu district, is designed with a 6.7 thousand million cubic feet (TMCft) storage capacity at Full Reservoir Level of +83 metres.
Located downstream of the Godavari–Indravathi confluence, the project is expected to be a lifeline for drought-prone and fluoride-affected districts of Telangana, particularly Nalgonda and Warangal.
According to project estimates, the barrage will stabilise an ayacut of 1.78 lakh hectares under the Sriramsagar Project Stage-II and create a new ayacut of 12,146 hectares through the Ramappa–Pakhal Link Canal.
Irrigation benefits are expected to reach Warangal, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Jangaon, Khammam, and Nalgonda districts. In addition to enhancing agricultural productivity, the project will supply safe river water to fluoride-hit areas, reducing dependence on contaminated groundwater.
The engineering design includes three pump houses, extensive gravity canals, delivery cisterns, and nearly 90 kilometres of tunnels with a discharge capacity of 182 cusecs of water. Supporting works such as cross-drainage structures, regulators, and road bridges are also part of the plan.
While Telangana stands to gain significantly, the project’s backwaters will extend into the Bhoopalpatnam tahsil of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh. About 13.06 hectares of land, 54.03 hectares of river area, and 6.35 hectares of nala land are expected to be submerged.
Addressing these concerns, Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated Telangana’s commitment to compensate affected landowners in accordance with Chhattisgarh’s norms, even proposing an advance payment to expedite the clearance process.
Chhattisgarh had earlier tasked the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur with assessing the impact of submergence. Telangana has conveyed its readiness to implement the institute’s recommendations in full.
Expressing optimism, Uttam Kumar Reddy said, “With this positive response from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, we are confident that the Sammakka Sagar Project will soon secure final approvals. It is crucial for stabilising irrigation and ensuring drinking water security across Telangana’s most vulnerable regions.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
