UDAIPUR: Telangana’s Irrigation Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy secured a firm assurance from Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil on Central intervention in Telangana’s water disputes and expedited approval of key irrigation projects. He also met Ministry Secretary Debashree Mukherjee at the 2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference to press for urgent action.
Centre’s Commitment to Water Dispute Resolution
During the meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy raised concerns over Andhra Pradesh allegedly drawing excess water from the Srisailam Dam backwaters and Nagarjuna Sagar Project’s right canal. He stressed the need for immediate Central intervention to protect the Rabi crop in Nagarjuna Sagar’s ayacut areas, particularly in erstwhile Nalgonda and Khammam districts.
In response, Union Minister Patil assured that the Centre would take steps to prevent unauthorized withdrawals and ensure equitable water distribution.
To improve transparency in water allocation, Reddy proposed telemetry systems at 35 strategic points on the Krishna River, including the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar dams. These systems would provide real-time data and help prevent future disputes. Minister Patil agreed on the importance of monitoring mechanisms.
Approval and Funding for Key Irrigation Projects
Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Centre to sanction major irrigation projects, including:
- Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS)
- Sitarama Sagar Project (Approval assured within a month)
- Sammakka Sagar Project
Additionally, he demanded national project status for PRLIS with full Central funding. Secretary Mukherjee assured that the Centre would explore interest-free infrastructure funds with a 50-year repayment period for Telangana’s irrigation projects.
Medigadda Project Inquiry and Dam Rehabilitation
Minister Reddy called for an early submission of the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report on the Medigadda Project collapse, which has been under inquiry for over a year. Union Minister Patil promised that the findings would be released by the end of the month.
The Centre also suggested that Telangana use World Bank-assisted DRIP (Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project) funds for:
- Repairs at Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam dams
- Desiltation and sedimentation management across irrigation projects
Call for Krishna Water Tribunal Ruling
Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Centre to expedite the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) proceedings. He emphasized that Telangana must receive its rightful share of Krishna River water.
With these commitments, the Centre’s intervention is expected to drive significant progress in resolving Telangana’s water disputes and strengthening its irrigation infrastructure.
