Uttam Kumar Reddy meets Chhattisgarh CM, pursues NOC for Sammakka-Sarakka Project

HYDERABAD

Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy called on Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai, who was on a visit to Hyderabad, here on Thursday night and requested him to help Telangana get the no objection certificate (NOC) from the Chhattisgarh government for Sammakka-Sarakka Project taken up across the river Godavari.

In a significant development that could prove decisive in getting the NOC from Chhattisgarh, the Telangana government is of the hope that it could also pave the way for the final appraisal of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the Central Water Commission (CWC).

Explaining Telangana’s sustained efforts to fast-track several long-pending irrigation projects aimed at harnessing the Godavari waters for irrigation, drinking water supply and regional development to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy requested the Chhattisgarh government to extend its cooperation by issuing the pending NOC for the Sammakka Sagar Project, formerly known as the Tupakulagudem Barrage.

According to Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister responded positively and assured that the matter would be examined sympathetically. The Minister also submitted a formal communication seeking immediate issuance of the NOC by Chhattisgarh, required for appraisal of the DPR by the Inter-State Directorate of the CWC.

In the letter, Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy recalled his earlier request made at Raipur on September 22 last year and highlighted the importance of the project for Telangana’s irrigation sector. He informed the Chhattisgarh government that all directorates of the CWC except the Inter-State Directorate had already accorded clearances to the project and that the absence of NOC alone was preventing further appraisal of the DPR.

On the concerns of Chhattisgarh over the project, the Minister noted that engineers from both States had earlier conducted a joint survey of the submergence area and subsequently the Chhattisgarh government had sought a more detailed survey involving demarcation of Full Reservoir Level (FRL) and backwater levels to accurately assess the extent of land and villages likely to be affected.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana is committed to resolve all outstanding issues and had agreed to bear the entire cost of the survey and released ₹9.88 crore to the Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department in April (this year). The survey is presently under way in Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh.

Telangana has also assured the neighbouring State that compensation for any lands identified as affected due to submergence or backwater impact would be paid in accordance with applicable laws and procedures. The State government has also conveyed its willingness to deposit compensation amounts in advance, if required for issuance of the NOC.