Telangana Irrigation Minister n. Uttam Kumar Reddy with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on Wednesday (February 19, 2025).
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement
The Central Government has assured Telangana Government that it will intervene in addressing the State’s water concerns over allocation and sharing of river waters.
The Union Government has also agreed to grant necessary clearances and approvals to key irrigation projects of the State. The assurances came after Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy called on Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil on the sidelines of the second All India Water Ministers’ Conference being held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on Wednesday (February 19, 2025) and explained him about the status of projects as well as the concerns of the State. Mr. Reddy held discussions with Jal Shatki Ministry secretary Debasish Mukherjee urging him for immediate action on water disputes and funding critical projects.
Concerns expressed over excess water drawn illegally
The Minister expressed concerns over the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh allegedly drawing excess water illegally from the backwaters of Srisailam project and the Nagarjunasagar right canal in the ongoing Rabi season. There was an urgent need for the Central Government to intervene and protect the Rabi crop, particularly in the erstwhile united Khammam and Nalgonda districts, under the Nagarjunasagar ayacut.
Need for telemetry systems explained
Responding positively, Mr. Patil said that the Centre would take immediate steps to ensure fair water distribution and to prevent unauthorised withdrawals. Mr. Reddy explained the need for installation of telemetry systems at 35 points on Krishna river both under Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar projects to enhance transparency and prevent future disputes. Installation of telemetry systems was necessitated for providing real time data on water usage and ensuring adherence to the allocated quotas, he said. The Union Minister concurred with Mr. Reddy’s views and stressed the need for accurate monitoring mechanisms.
Funding for three projects requested
The Irrigation Minister urged the Centre to sanction approvals and funding for Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), Sitaramasagar and Sammakka Sagar projects. Besides, the Centre should grant national project status to PRLIS so that it could receive full central funding.
The Union Jal Shakti secretary assured that the Centre would explore the possibility of providing infrastructure funds to Telangana’s irrigation projects at zero per cent interest with 50-year repayment period. The Centre would also consider granting necessary approvals to Sitarama project within a month.
Musi rejuvenation
Mr. Reddy sought Central assistance for cleaning and rejuvenation of Musi river as also for the Godavari-Musi link project. Acknowledging the significance of the two projects, the Union Minister said he would positively consider the proposals submitted by the Telangana Government.
The Irrigation Minister expressed concerns over the prolonged inquiry by the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) into the collapse of the Medigadda Project, which was continuing for a year. When the Minister urged Mr. Patil for early submission of report and recommendations for remedial action, Mr. Patil assured that NDSA’s findings would be available by the month end.
DRIP funding
The Central Government, on its part, suggested that Telangana utilise the World Bank assisted Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project funds for repairs to Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam projects as well as desiltation and sedimentation management across the projects.
Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy also stressed the need for the Central Government’s intervention in expediting the proceedings of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II as an early judgment would ensure Telangana its rightful water share.
Published – February 19, 2025 03:26 pm IST
