KTR criticises government inaction on Kaleshwaram project, alleges political vendetta

KARIMNAGAR: BRS Working President K Taraka Rama Rao expressed concern over the delay in initiating water pumping from the Kaleshwaram Project, attributing it to political vendetta.

During an inspection visit to the Lower Manair Dam (LMD) in Karimnagar, along with other BRS leaders, KTR highlighted the significance of the Kaleshwaram Project, describing it as the world's largest multi-stage lift irrigation project.

KTR noted that the project was designed to conserve every drop of water, enabling Telangana to cultivate paddy on par with Punjab. He criticised the detractors who focus on minor issues, accusing them of trying to portray the project as a failure. With a reported 45% deficit in rainfall this year, KTR emphasised the urgency of filling the reservoirs to prevent water wastage.

According to engineers, around 10 lakh cusecs of water were wasted at the Kannepalli Pump House due to the lack of government directives. Despite the capability to pump water, no action has been taken, which KTR attributed to an eight-month-long effort to discredit former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. He warned against political vendettas that harm farmers, calling for immediate action to begin water pumping.

KTR assured that the BRS leaders are visiting Kaleshwaram's reservoirs and pump houses to witness the distress faced by farmers. He pledged that the state government would be held accountable in the upcoming Assembly sessions.

The Kaleshwaram Project, initiated by then-Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, was intended to utilise the hundreds of TMCs of water wasted annually. The project has transformed Telangana into a significant granary for the nation, with agricultural expansion rivaling that of Punjab and Haryana. However, a minor incident at Medigadda has been exaggerated to label the project as a failure.

KTR accused the current government, led by Revanth Reddy, of neglecting the needs of farmers by not starting the pumping of water, despite the availability of water at Medigadda. He urged the government to fill all reservoirs, including LMD, Mid Manair, Yellampalli, and SRSP, to alleviate the distress of farmers.

He emphasised that filling reservoirs like Mallanna Sagar and Kondapochamma Sagar would also address drinking water issues for Hyderabad. KTR accused the government of sidelining these efforts to defame KCR, despite Medigadda's ability to withstand floods up to ten lakh cusecs.

KTR appealed to the Chief Minister to prioritise the welfare of farmers over political interests and urged the media to highlight the drying reservoirs and farmers' struggles. He stressed that the BRS would continue to advocate for the farmers' rights and hold the government accountable for its inaction.