Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has ordered expedited land acquisition and rehabilitation for Telangana’s irrigation projects, calling delays unacceptable and urging full coordination across departments.
At a review meeting held at the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat, he directed officials to work closely with district collectors to resolve legal and logistical hurdles, calling irrigation a cornerstone of the state’s farm economy and food security.
Chronic delays in land acquisition were flagged as the key reason behind cost overruns and missed timelines. He pushed for sensitive and transparent engagement with displaced landowners, warning that legal setbacks or public backlash could derail progress.
Reddy focused attention on two major projects Palamuru-Rangareddy and Sitarama Sagar terming them critical for drought-prone areas. He demanded unbroken execution across stages, including canal lining and tunnel boring.
To boost capacity, the department is bringing in former Indian Army Engineer-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Harpal Singh as Honorary Advisor and Col. Parikshit Mehra, a tunnel engineering expert, in a full-time role. Both oversaw India’s most complex tunnel projects Rohtang and Zojila.
The minister also reviewed flood preparedness amid rising monsoon inflows and activated monitoring protocols.
Separately, he called for the revival of WALMTARI in Rajendranagar, ordering a land survey and removal of encroachments, and described it as vital to irrigation training and planning.
Reddy reaffirmed the Congress government’s commitment to completing irrigation works on schedule and promised full administrative backing to resolve pending issues.
