The Central Government asserted that there is no proposal before it to consider granting national project status to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS).

The criteria for according national project status to major irrigation projects are specified in the guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana — accelerated irrigation benefit programme and the status is accorded mainly to projects of national importance involving inter-State or international water issues or create/restore significant irrigation potential.

Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said in a reply to a query by Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdary that the detailed project report of the PRLIS was received in the Central Water Commission. Technical examination of the project by the CWC followed by techno-economic appraisal by the advisory committee of Water Resources and River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation was an essential pre-requisite for further considering the project for inclusion under the ongoing schemes for central assistance.

As the project involved utilisation of Krishna river water and inter-State aspects was included in the terms of reference of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal – II. The matter was not sub-judice and the techno-economic appraisal of PRLIS could not be carried out at this stage. The DPR of the project was returned to the Telangana government with a request for holistic planning for achieving the intended benefits of the whole PRLIS.

Published - August 10, 2026 06:22 pm IST