Varikapudi Sala Lift Project Moves Ahead, Targets 84,500-Acre Irrigation Network

The Varikapudi Sala Lift Irrigation Project in Palnadu district has reached another crucial stage, with the district administration granting permission to conduct a public hearing on environmental issues related to the proposed project. The hearing is expected to provide an opportunity for residents and other stakeholders to express their views on the project, raise concerns and submit suggestions before the authorities.

The project, which has an estimated cost of around Rs 3,227 crore, has been proposed to provide irrigation facilities to nearly 34,196 hectares. The environmental public hearing has been scheduled for November 17, marking an important step in the process of taking the project forward.

During the hearing, people living in and around the project area will be able to present their opinions, objections and recommendations concerning the proposed construction and its possible environmental implications. The exercise is expected to help authorities assess local concerns before proceeding with the next stages of the project.

Once implemented, the scheme is expected to benefit agricultural lands in Veldurthi, Durgi, Karamapudi and Macherla mandals of Palnadu district. In addition to irrigation, the project has been planned to address the drinking water requirements of communities in these areas.

The proposed system involves lifting water from the Varikapudisela stream, located near the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, and conveying it to the designated command areas. Earlier project proposals envisaged lifting approximately 1.54 TMC of water for the scheme.

According to government project details, the first phase is aimed at creating a new irrigation command covering around 24,900 acres. The second phase proposes extending irrigation facilities to an additional 48,236 acres.

With both phases taken together, the project is expected to eventually cover a total command area of around 84,500 acres. The scheme assumes particular importance for Palnadu, a rain-shadow region where agriculture remains heavily dependent on seasonal rainfall.

The availability of a more dependable irrigation source could help farmers reduce their dependence on rainfall and support higher agricultural productivity. The project is also expected to improve access to drinking water, potentially providing a broader water-security benefit to communities across the region.