The Telangana State Government has prioritized the swift revision of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the ambitious Pranahita–Chevella irrigation project, placing particular emphasis on the construction of the Tummidihetti barrage.
During a recent review meeting held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy thoroughly reviewed findings from officials who conducted technical surveys at Tummidihetti and Sundilla. These surveys revealed that the existing canal routes and hydraulic structures from the original Pranahita–Chevella proposal are mostly in good condition, requiring only minimal refurbishment to be put back into use.
Officials updated the Minister on the project’s progress, highlighting that approximately 71 km of the canal network is still functional, with two significant aqueducts already 70% complete. Engineers confirmed a crucial advantage: water can be transported to Sundilla purely by gravity, which eliminates the costly and complex requirement for multiple lifting stages.
The original Pranahita–Chevella plan involved diverting water from Tummidihetti to Chevella via Yellampalli. However, recent site inspections by officials revealed that substantial portions of the canal—specifically from the 0-71 km mark downstream of Tummidihetti—are already constructed. The Minister noted that about 45 km of this segment has been fully excavated, with other sections partially finished.
Beyond the 71 km point, near Mylaram village in Mancherial district, two options for further water conveyance were explored. The initial plan proposed moving water from Mylaram to the Yellampalli reservoir, a 50 km stretch requiring a single lift. The alternative, and more appealing, suggestion is to transport water directly to the Sundilla barrage, covering approximately 35 km entirely by gravity. Both pathways incorporate tunnels and open canal sections, but the gravity-fed option promises greater technical simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Minister Reddy expressed strong approval for these findings, emphasizing that the gravity-based route to Sundilla would significantly boost both the technical and financial viability of the project. He stressed the urgency, stating, “We must prepare both options to enable a definitive decision by the end of this month.” He then directed officials to expedite the completion of the revised DPR by October-end, ensuring it incorporates comprehensive hydraulic, environmental, and cost analyses, along with updated satellite and terrain surveys.
Shifting focus to energy efficiency, the Minister instructed the department to pinpoint suitable irrigation lands for developing solar power plants. The goal is to utilize the generated solar energy to power irrigation systems and pumping stations, contributing to sustainable operations.
The review also covered the status of several other crucial irrigation projects, including Devadula Package-III, Kalwakurthi Package-29, Palamuru–Rangareddy Package-7, and the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officers to finalize all necessary documentation promptly to present these proposals to the Cabinet. He further assessed the ongoing progress of the SLBC tunnel, specifically mentioning the aerial survey conducted to verify its alignment.