KTR demands filling of Kaleshwaram reservoirs by August 2, warns of farmer protest

HYDERABAD: BRS Working President K Taraka Rama Rao has demanded that the state government fill the reservoirs within the Kaleshwaram project area by August 2. He warned that if the government fails to respond, he would mobilise 50,000 farmers to operate the pump houses themselves.

KTR emphasised the importance of providing water to the barren lands of Telangana and urged that people and farmers should not be troubled for political reasons. He criticised the government for not operating the pumps, alleging it was a politically motivated move to tarnish the image of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. He insisted that the pump houses should be operational before the Assembly sessions.

KTR, along with BRS MLAs and MLCs, inspected the Kannepalli Lakshmi Pump House. Speaking to the media, he described the Kaleshwaram project as a boon for Telangana. He stated that BRS representatives inspected the project following KCR's directives.

"KCR constructed the Kaleshwaram project at an unprecedented speed in the history of the country. This project was built to ensure that the word 'drought' is never heard in Telangana. Under BRS governance, there has never been a water crisis. The state government is falsely claiming that there was a water problem in the past. Currently, there is no water available for crop irrigation. Sriramsagar has no water, and there are only 5 TMCs in LMD and Mid Manair. Sriramsagar's capacity is 90 TMCs, but it currently holds only 25 TMCs," KTR said.

He highlighted that the Kaleshwaram project provides irrigation water to drought-prone areas and drinking water to Hyderabad. "We built Konda Pochamma Sagar with 15 TMCs and Mallanna Sagar with 50 TMCs. Water can be lifted from the Lakshmi Pump House. Due to the negligence of the Congress government, drinking water is supplied once every three days. Ten lakh cusecs of water are being wasted. The Godavari is flowing vigorously near Kaleshwaram, but the reservoirs are dry," he added.

KTR asserted that no one else could have created such a great system. "Seventeen pumps are ready, and we can lift 2 TMCs of water daily. The water is not being lifted due to political decisions. If the government decides, it can provide water to 18 lakh acres. Despite water flowing into the sea, the government is not taking action. Farmers in Baswapur, Konda Pochamma, Ranga Nayaka Sagar, and Mallanna Sagar are waiting for water. Farmers in Tungaturthi, Kodad, and Suryapet are also waiting for Kaleshwaram water. Let's do politics for six months and work hard for the people for four and a half years," he urged.

KTR mentioned that if water is lifted, it would reach Mid Manair in two days, filling Konda Pochamma, Mallanna Sagar, Ranga Nayaka Sagar, and Annapurna reservoirs. "Mid Manair was full for the past five years but has now turned into a desert. The government must make an immediate decision on the pump houses. The Congress is making petty attempts to defame KCR. People have understood these issues. We will demand a discussion in the assembly on behalf of the farmers," he said.

"We are giving the government until August 2 to fill the reservoirs in the Kaleshwaram area. If the government does not respond, we will operate the pumps with 50,000 farmers. We will provide water to the barren lands of Telangana and hold the government accountable in the assembly. Do not trouble the people and farmers for political reasons," KTR warned.

The BRS leader said that the world recognises Kaleshwaram as the largest lift irrigation project. "Many experts have praised the greatness of Kaleshwaram. A small issue is being used to spread false propaganda about the project. We built this wonderful project with an agreement with Maharashtra. The Congress spread false propaganda about Annaram and Sundilla. Grounding is a continuous process, and it was done in 2020 as well, according to engineers. The Congress should stop playing politics with farmers. The Congress lacks the intelligence to utilise such a great project built by KCR," KTR criticised.