74L acres added to cultivation in 4 yrs

Irrigation potential has been created for 62 lakh acres of land under major, medium and minor irrigation projects in the state in the last four years. Another 12.47 lakh acres have got irrigation by restoring tanks under Mission Kakatiya, according to figures submitted by irrigation officials to the government.

Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi reviewed water conservation methods in TS with officials at the Secretariat. The meeting was held on the directions of Union water resources ministry seeking state-wise reports on methods adopted to conserve water.

Irrigation officials said 17,860 tanks have been restored and repaired. About 67 check dams have been sanctioned costing `211 crore since 2014. They said 79 tanks were being constructed with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Mr Joshi said the government was encouraging drip and sprinkler irrigation. “Micro irrigation facility was provided for 2.20 lakh hectares in the last four years and another 1.18 lakh acres will be covered in 2018-19. We could save water and achieve higher productivity with micro irrigation,” he added.

The CS directed officials to prepare a comprehensive report on effective utilisation of water resources in Telangana which will be submitted to Centre within a week.