HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday accused the previous BRS government of ‘colossal mismanagement’ of the irrigation sector.
He said that despite spending a staggering Rs 1.81 lakh crore, the BRS government failed to complete crucial projects, leaving 103 tmcft of water storage capacity unutilised in Nalgonda and Mahbubnagar districts.
In a statement issued here, he alleged that the BRS government looted public money in the name of irrigation projects. They made tall claims but left behind incomplete reservoirs and lift irrigation schemes, depriving Telangana of its rightful share in Krishna water, he said, adding: “Farmers suffered while KCR’s regime indulged in corruption and mismanagement.”
He pointed out that Telangana could not utilise its share in Krishna waters, as the BRS government failed to complete the construction of key projects. The state was unable to store sufficient water because of lack of projects, he said.
Uttam said that the BRS government wasted Rs 1.81 lakh crore on irrigation projects, yet farmers are struggling due to water scarcity. “Where did all this money go? Why are reservoirs still incomplete? Their inefficiency and corruption have led to this mess,” he said, ensuring that the Congress government would deliver results.
Among the major failures of the BRS regime was the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), which has the potential to store 67.52 tmcft but remained a no-starter, he alleged and pointed out that the key reservoirs under PRLIS, still awaiting completion, included: Anjanagiri reservoir(6.40 tmcft), Veernam Palli reservoir (6.55 tmcft), Venkatadri Reservoir (16.74 tmcft), Kurumurthyraya Reservoir (19 tmcft), Udandapur Reservoir (16.03 tmcft) and KP Laxmidevipally Reservoir (2.80 tmcft).
The proposed storage capacity of Srisailam Right Bank Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme (SRVR Dindi LIS) is 25.64 tmcft. But, instead of completing it, the BRS government sat on the project while making false promises, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged.
The incomplete reservoirs under SRVR Dindi LIS included: Pothireddy Palli (0.225 tmcft), Singarajpally Reservoir (Offline - 0.81 tmcft), Gottimukala Reservoir (Offline - 1.839 tmcft), Irwin Reservoir (Online - 0.553 tmcft), Yerrapalli-Gokavaram Reservoir (Online - 7.182 tmcft), Dindi Reservoir (Existing - 2.468 tmcft), Thintapally Reservoir (Offline - 0.91 tmcft), Kistarampally Balancing Reservoir (Online - 5.686 tmcft) and Shivannagudem Balancing Reservoir (Online - 11.968 tmcft). Additionally, the AMRSLBC project, which could add 9.848 tmcft to Telangana’s irrigation potential, was also neglected. This includes: Dindi Balancing Reservoir (7.648 tmcft) and Pendlipakala Balancing Reservoir (2.200 tmcft), Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
The irrigation minister assured that the Congress government would take swift action to complete these projects and end the irrigation crisis caused by BRS’s failures. He said that Telangana’s rightful share in Krishna basin had been wasted due to the BRS regime’s inaction, but the current government would ensure that every drop of Telangana’s water is utilised.
He said: “The days of corruption and deception are over. We will fix what the BRS ruined. Telangana’s farmers will get the water they deserve”. He pointed out that the Congress government has prioritised the completion of irrigation projects to ensure sustainable water storage, improve agricultural productivity, and prevent any further injustice to Telangana’s farmers.