HYDERABAD – In a monumental step forward for Telangana’s water security, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has given his in-principle nod to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Sammakka Sagar Project. This crucial approval is expected to fast-track the completion of the project, which is being constructed on the Godavari river near Thupakulagudem in Mulugu district.
The positive development follows a pivotal meeting in Raipur on Monday between Telangana’s Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai. Minister Reddy was accompanied by senior irrigation officials during the discussions.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy expressed his gratitude to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister for the favorable response, hailing it as a long-awaited breakthrough for the project. He confirmed that Telangana has committed to assuming full responsibility for all aspects of land acquisition, compensation, and rehabilitation required within Chhattisgarh. He emphasized that this NOC represents the final interstate hurdle before the Central Water Commission can grant its ultimate approval.
During his detailed PowerPoint presentation, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy elaborated on the Sammakka Sagar Barrage, highlighting its strategic location downstream of the Indravathi river’s confluence with the Godavari. The barrage is designed to hold a substantial 6.7 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic feet) of water at a Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of +83 meters. He underscored that the project is specifically engineered to alleviate Telangana’s severe water scarcity, particularly in the drought-stricken and fluoride-affected regions of the erstwhile Nalgonda and Warangal districts.
The Minister affirmed that the project is poised to deliver immense benefits, not only by addressing the critical shortage of drinking water but also by significantly expanding irrigation potential across the state. Under the proposed plans, the Sammakka Sagar Project is projected to stabilize an existing ayacut (command area) of 1.78 lakh hectares (approximately 4.4 lakh acres) under the Sriramsagar Project Stage-II. Furthermore, it will create a new ayacut spanning 12,146 hectares (over 30,000 acres) through the Ramappa–Pakhal Link Canal.
This enhanced irrigation capacity will directly benefit a multitude of districts, including Warangal, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Jangaon, Khammam, and Nalgonda. The project is anticipated to revolutionize agriculture in these areas, mitigating the impact of recurrent droughts and guaranteeing a more consistent water supply for crops. Mr. Reddy highlighted that this transformation would lead to higher agricultural productivity and secure the livelihoods of countless farmers who have endured decades of uncertainty.
He particularly stressed the critical drinking water component, noting that Nalgonda and parts of Warangal have long battled groundwater contamination caused by excessive fluoride levels. The Sammakka Sagar Project offers a sustainable solution by providing safe, river-based water supplies, thereby reducing the perilous reliance on compromised groundwater. By simultaneously tackling both irrigation and drinking water needs, the Sammakka Sagar Project is set to become a vital lifeline for millions living in Telangana’s most vulnerable areas.
Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy acknowledged that the project’s backwaters would extend into the Bhopalpatnam tahsil of Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, leading to the submergence of approximately 13.06 hectares of land, 54.03 hectares of river area, and 6.35 hectares of nala land. He reiterated Telangana’s commitment to appropriately address all concerns and ensure fair management of these affected areas.