Hyderabad, Oct.3 : Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar chaired a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat on Saturday to evaluate the progress of the Gauravelli Reservoir project. Senior departmental officials briefed the ministers on land acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R), fresh environmental clearances, canal execution, and revised administrative estimates.
Laying out the history of the project, officials recalled that late Chief Minister Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy laid the foundation for the Gauravelli reservoir in 2007, achieving approximately 57 percent progress by 2013 before administrative delays stalled land acquisition. Irrigation officials reported that following the formation of the Congress government in 2023, land acquisition gained significant momentum. The ministers instructed officers to expedite the remaining land acquisition to ensure uninterrupted civil works.
The meeting reviewed financial relief packages, with officials confirming that land loser families are receiving compensation of ₹17 lakh per acre. Discussions also focused on resolving pending grievances regarding R&R benefits for married daughters and affected households in both old and newly submerged zones. Compensation payments for canal land acquisition are actively progressing, and ministers directed the revenue and irrigation wings to work in tandem so that canal laying faces no bottlenecks.
Regarding environmental compliance, officials stated that necessary proposals aligning with central guidelines are currently under active consideration to secure fresh environmental clearances. The officials further submitted revised estimates for the reservoir and canal network accounting for expanded scope, price escalation, and enhanced compensation. Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to finalize tenders for remaining works once administrative sanctions and environmental approvals are secured, setting clear timelines to complete the long-pending project.
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