NALGONDA: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday opened the crest gates of the Nagarjunasagar Project, following substantial inflows from upstream due to persistent rainfall. This was the first floodwater release in the month of July after 18 years.
The reservoir, located in Nalgonda district, reached near-full capacity, prompting the controlled release of water.
Ministers Uttam Kumar Reddy and Adluri Laxman Kumar, along with local MLAs and senior irrigation officials, participated in the ceremonial opening after offering prayers to the Krishna river. Gates 13 and 14 were lifted first, followed by eight more. In total, 14 gates were raised to a height of 5 feet, releasing 78,060 cusecs of water. An additional 68,000 cusecs were later discharged.
Speaking to the media, Uttam described the Nagarjunasagar as a symbol of irrigation development and traced its history back to its foundation stone laid by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 10, 1955. The dam was inaugurated by Indira Gandhi in 1967, with the crest gates completed in 1974.
Uttam, who has represented the ayacut region six times as MLA and once as MP, said providing water to tail-end farmers remains a priority. “I’ve seen farmers wait for water at the tail end. Today, I stand here not just as a minister, but as one among them,” he said.
The project also generates 700 MW of power through seven main plant units and an additional 60 MW through two units on the left canal, supported by a steady 30,000 cusecs flow over the last four days. Ahead of the Kharif season, the government released 3,000 cusecs through the left canal in advance of the formal schedule, a move Uttam described as part of a broader irrigation plan.
He said Telangana had achieved a paddy output of 281 lakh metric tonnes across the last Kharif and Rabi seasons, the highest in the country.
To reduce seepage and improve water delivery, the government has sanctioned Rs 63 crore for canal lining works, expected to be completed next year.
Uttam also acknowledged the support of Laxman and local legislators in promoting irrigation development across the region. He said inflows into Nagarjunasagar are expected to continue and that gate operations will be adjusted accordingly.
Miffed by Uttam’s unpunctuality, Venkat leaves airport in a huff
Hyderabad: Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy expressed serious displeasure over the delay caused by Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy during their scheduled visit to Nagarjunasagar on Tuesday. As per the official itinerary, ministers Venkat Reddy and Adluri Laxman Kumar arrived at Begumpet Airport by 9 am to leave for Nagarjunasagar Project to lift the gates.
However, Uttam failed to arrive till 10 am, leading to visible frustration from Komatireddy. Questioning the delay, Venkat Reddy reportedly said it was unacceptable on Uttam’s part to insist on a 9 am arrival and then show up an hour late. Saying so, Venkat Reddy abruptly cancelled his participation in the tour and left the airport in a huff. Uttam and Adluri Laxman, however, proceeded to Nagarjunasagar by a chopper to participate in the event.
Sources said that Venkat Reddy has switched off both his mobile phones, further fuelling speculation about internal differences between two ministers in the erstwhile Nalgonda district politics. It may be recalled here that Venkat Reddy’s brother Rajagopal Reddy openly criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s statement that he would continue to serve as the CM for 10 years.