The Telangana government has issued a strong directive to speed up the land acquisition process for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), stressing that the project must be completed on a “war footing.” The instruction highlights the administration’s urgency in pushing forward one of the state’s most significant irrigation infrastructure projects, which is aimed at improving water availability in drought-prone regions.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy reviewed the progress of the PRLIS and other irrigation works during a high-level meeting with officials and elected representatives. During the discussion, he emphasized that delays in land acquisition should not slow down the overall execution of the project. He directed officials to accelerate all pending processes and ensure that required land is acquired quickly and efficiently.

The PRLIS is considered a major lifeline project for the erstwhile Mahabubnagar region and surrounding areas, which have historically faced severe water scarcity. The scheme is designed to lift and distribute Krishna river water to irrigate lakhs of acres of farmland, thereby transforming agriculture in these drought-affected zones. Because of its scale and importance, timely completion of land acquisition is seen as a critical step in ensuring the project’s success.

The Chief Minister also made it clear that financial support from the government will not be a constraint in carrying out land acquisition activities. He assured that compensation payments to landowners will be released without delay, reducing the chances of legal disputes or opposition from affected families. Officials were also instructed to maintain close coordination with district administrations to avoid procedural bottlenecks.

In addition to focusing on PRLIS, the government has asked officials to speed up land acquisition and project execution for other ongoing irrigation works across the state. The Chief Minister reportedly stressed the need for continuous monitoring and regular review meetings to track progress and resolve issues in real time.

A key concern discussed during the meeting was the long-standing delays in irrigation infrastructure development due to land-related hurdles. In many cases, projects get delayed for years because of disputes, compensation issues, or administrative slowdowns. To overcome these challenges, the government is now adopting a more aggressive approach, ensuring that development works are not held back by procedural delays.

Officials explained that PRLIS is not just a single project but a large-scale irrigation network involving multiple stages, including reservoirs, pumping stations, canals, and distribution systems. Completing land acquisition quickly is essential to ensure that construction activities move forward without interruption. Any delay at this stage could increase costs and extend project timelines significantly.

The government also reiterated that it is committed to balancing development with fair compensation. Farmers and landowners whose land is acquired for the project are expected to receive appropriate payment as per existing regulations. Authorities are also expected to ensure transparency in the entire process to maintain public trust and avoid dissatisfaction among affected communities.

From a broader perspective, the push for faster land acquisition reflects the government’s focus on prioritizing infrastructure development, especially in the irrigation sector. Telangana has been working to expand its water resources network to support agriculture, improve rural livelihoods, and reduce dependency on rainfall. Projects like PRLIS are central to this long-term vision.

Political observers note that irrigation projects in Telangana have often been delayed due to administrative and legal challenges. By emphasizing a “war footing” approach, the government is signaling its intention to overcome these obstacles and accelerate development. The move is also expected to increase pressure on departments to perform more efficiently and deliver results within set timelines.

Overall, the directive marks a renewed push to fast-track one of Telangana’s most ambitious irrigation projects. If implemented effectively, the accelerated land acquisition process could help the PRLIS move closer to completion, ultimately benefiting thousands of farmers and strengthening the state’s agricultural infrastructure.