Hyderabad, June 12 (RAHNUMA): The long-pending Sammakka Sagar project on the Godavari River appears to be moving closer to a decisive breakthrough, with Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy personally taking up the issue of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai during his visit to Hyderabad on Thursday night.
In a significant development that could pave the way for the final appraisal of the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the Central Water Commission (CWC), Uttam Kumar Reddy met the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and briefed him on Telangana’s sustained efforts to fast-track several long-pending irrigation projects aimed at harnessing the waters of the Godavari River for irrigation, drinking water supply and regional development.
During the meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy specifically urged the Chhattisgarh government to extend its cooperation by issuing the pending NOC for the Sammakka Sagar Project, formerly known as the Tupakulagudem Barrage.
The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister has responded positively and assured that the matter would be examined sympathetically.
The Minister also handed over a formal communication seeking immediate issuance of the NOC required for appraisal of the DPR by the Inter-State Directorate of the Central Water Commission. In the letter dated June 11, 2026, Uttam Kumar Reddy recalled his earlier request made at Raipur on September 22, 2025, and highlighted the importance of the project for Telangana’s irrigation sector.
He informed the Chhattisgarh Government that all directorates of the Central Water Commission, except the Inter-State Directorate, had already accorded clearances to the project and that the absence of the NOC alone was preventing further appraisal of the DPR.
The Minister noted that engineers from both States had earlier conducted a joint survey of the submergence area. Subsequently, the Chhattisgarh government 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.
Demonstrating its commitment to resolving all outstanding concerns, the Telangana government agreed to bear the entire cost of the survey and released Rs 9.883 crore to the Chhattisgarh Water Resources department in April 2026. The survey is presently underway 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 repeatedly conveyed its willingness to deposit compensation amounts in advance if required for issuance of the NOC.
