KCR steps up irrigation projects

AP government strongly opposed to Palamuru irrigation project

Despite objections from AP government over the Palamuru project, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will be laying foundation stones for Palamuru and Nakkalagandi lift irrigation projects in the first week of April.

He also suggested on Friday that it would be apt to call the Pranahita Chevella project as Kaleswaram Project.

Calling for “reengineering” of all existing projects, the CM said that a group of retired engi- neers have been asked to undertake aerial surveys of the proposed projects over Godavari and Krishna Rivers next week. Besides taking up rehabilitation and resettlement of those being displaced, he said that all project works including tunnels and reservoirs would be taken up simultaneously.

While the PalamuruRanga Reddy Lift Irrigation will provide water to Mahbubnagar, Ranga Reddy and parts of Nalgonda, the Nakkalagandi project will help the fluoride-hit Nalgonda district.

Mr Rao, who discussed the pending irrigation projects with Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, advisors Papa Rao and Vidyasagar Rao, and other senior irrigation engineers, asked officials to take up pending irrigation projects across Krishna and God- avari Rivers on a war footing like the Telangana water grid and power projects to ensure optimal utilisation of the waters allocated to Telangana.

He indicated that TS would also get an additional 120 TMC of water.

The CM’s decision assumes significance with the AP government deciding to take up the controversial Pattiseema project under Polavaram. While Telangana is against the Pattiseema project, AP has opposed the Palamuru project.

Mr Rao asked irrigation officials to complete the pending Palamuru, SLBC, Nettampadu, Pakala and Nakkalagandi projects in South Telangana and Pranahita (Kaleswaram) and Kantanpalli projects in North Telangana at the earliest.

He also sought changes in the Dummugudem project to benefit Khammam farmers and ensure full utilisation of Devadula.

“Palamuru lift irrigation project is not a new project. We have evidence in the Assembly library. I don’t think we need to take up fresh permissions,” the CM said.

The Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation will provide water to Mahbubnagar, Ranga Reddy and parts of Nalgonda, while the Nakkalagandi project will help the fluoride-hit Nalgonda district