The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has accorded environmental clearance (EC) to Sita Rama Lift Irrigation. The project is located in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana and being implemented by the Irrigation & CAD Department of the state.

The proposed lift irrigation project is to divert Godavari river water from upstream of the existing Dummugudem anicut to irrigate 2,72,921 ha (new ayacut of about 1,33,085 ha and stabilisation of about 1,39,836 ha) of Bhadradri Kothagudem, Khammam and Mahabubabad districts of the state.

The project is to provide water to irrigation for new command as well as to enroute tanks, villages, towns and supplement some of the existing/ proposed irrigation schemes. The total land requirement for the project is around 8,476.84 ha. Out of which forest land is 1,531.06 ha, private land is 4,818.15 ha and government land is 2,127.63 ha.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 13,384.80 crore and is proposed to be completed in three years. The main components of the project are construction of head regulator only at Dummugudem Anicut on Godavari river, construction of lined canal of about 372 km, construction of four pump houses and delivery cisterns, among others.