Hyderabad: Telangana Irrigation, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Capt N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has written a detailed 11-page letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, seeking immediate intervention to resolve long-pending issues concerning irrigation projects in the Krishna and Godavari river basins.
In the letter dated July 14, 2025, Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated that several critical matters remain unresolved with the Central Water Commission (CWC) and other Government of India institutions, and requested the Union Minister’s assistance in securing the necessary clearances to enable institutional funding and the timely execution of projects.
The minister referred to the meeting held on June 19, 2025, where Telangana raised various pending matters related to irrigation. He expressed appreciation for the Union Minister’s initiative and interest, and explained that these unresolved issues were crucial for safeguarding Telangana’s water rights and fulfilling the irrigation needs of the state. He sought early deliberation and resolution of the pending issues under the guidance of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The primary focus of the letter was the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) and the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme (Dindi LIS). The Telangana government submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for PRLIS to the CWC for clearance based on the reallocation of assured waters. The letter stated that all queries raised by the CWC had been addressed and a comprehensive response was submitted by the Chief Engineer, Nagarkurnool, on May 6, 2025. Despite this, clearance for the project remains pending.
Uttam Kumar Reddy explained that during the proceedings of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) from 2004 to 2013, several projects of basin states were cleared by the CWC. Telangana, in line with that precedent, proposed to draw 45 TMC of water from the savings under the minor irrigation component and an additional 45 TMC from the Godavari water transferred to the Krishna River, making a total of 90 TMC for PRLIS.
The letter referred to an interstate agreement dated August 4, 1978, which was incorporated into the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award. It highlighted that after the Polavaram project received clearance from the CWC, it was agreed that 45 TMC of Krishna water could be utilised upstream of the Nagarjunasagar project. Telangana argued that most of this upstream cultivable area falls within its territory, which has historically suffered from irrigation distress, and Andhra Pradesh does not have any irrigation project in the Krishna basin upstream of Nagarjunasagar.
The minister stated that, based on these provisions and the State’s irrigation needs, Telangana had allocated 45 TMC of Krishna water for the Palamuru-Rangareddy project and an additional 45 TMC from its unutilised minor irrigation share. This approach, he said, was endorsed by the State Level Technical Committee in 2013. The DPR submitted to the CWC included these components.
He further noted that the Environment Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) had recommended PRLIS for consideration of Environmental Clearance (EC) during its 49th meeting held on July 24, 2023. However, the final clearance was still awaited. Uttam Kumar Reddy stressed that MoEF&CC’s clearance was essential for continuing work on both PRLIS and Dindi LIS, especially in view of the directions issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
The letter clarified that the continuation of these projects depends on meeting the NGT’s legal requirements and that environmental clearance must be granted without further delay. The minister requested that the CWC be instructed to appraise and clear the DPRs of PRLIS and Dindi LIS so that the State can proceed with execution and also seek financial support from institutions.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also submitted that the Dindi LIS, another important project aimed at serving fluoride-affected and drought-prone areas, was similarly pending clearances. The DPR for Dindi LIS had been prepared in line with the state’s entitlement and the planned utilisation of water upstream of NSP. The minister urged that this project also be cleared promptly.
The letter underlined that these projects are crucial for achieving irrigation coverage in backward and water-deficient areas of Telangana. Without clearance, the government cannot move ahead with land acquisition, construction, or obtain necessary funding from financial institutions. It noted that the PRLIS alone is expected to stabilise irrigation in multiple districts and will be a significant step toward addressing regional irrigation imbalances.
The minister also requested that the CWC and MoEF&CC not treat the reallocation of water as a new diversion but as a reorganisation within Telangana’s legitimate share, as per historical agreements and unutilised allocations. He stated that any delay in granting clearance would adversely affect ongoing works and impact lakhs of farmers in the region.
He drew attention to the fact that similar projects by other basin states had been processed and cleared, and asked for equal treatment for Telangana. He requested that the Centre take into consideration the submissions made by Telangana, the technical recommendations, and the already established inter-state agreements while appraising the two major DPRs.
Uttam Kumar Reddy concluded the letter by stating that the State of Telangana has been making repeated efforts and representations to the CWC and the Government of India for these approvals. He asked that these matters be given top priority and resolved at the earliest so that the projects can be taken forward in accordance with the law and to meet the irrigation requirements of the State.
