Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Announces 30-Month Deadline for PRLIS Completion
In a significant development for water resource management in Telangana, Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Sunday that the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) will be fully operational within the next 30 months. The minister also revealed the launch of a special drive to fast-track works on key irrigation projects in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, aiming to ensure reliable water supply for drinking and irrigation purposes across south Telangana.
Fast-Tracking Key Irrigation Projects
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized the state government's commitment to accelerating progress on critical projects, including Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Bhima, and Koilsagar. He stated that these projects are slated for completion by March 2027, with specific financial allocations earmarked for the upcoming year. The Congress government has allocated Rs 909 crore for Kalwakurthy, Rs 252 crore for Nettempadu, Rs 200 crore for Bhima, and Rs 185 crore for Koilsagar to facilitate their timely implementation.
To support these efforts, the government is prioritizing land acquisition and rehabilitation activities (R&R) on a mission mode. Quoting Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Uttam highlighted that land acquisition under key projects statewide will be expedited with the release of Rs 5,000 crore by June 2 this year. This strategic move aims to eliminate delays and ensure seamless project execution.
Criticism of Previous BRS Government
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy launched a sharp critique against the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government, accusing it of neglecting vital irrigation projects. He alleged that the BRS administration shifted the off-take point for the PRLIS from Jurala to Srisailam, a decision that significantly increased lift costs and disadvantaged the state. Similar issues were noted with the Kaleshwaram project, where the key source was moved from Tummidi Hatti to Medigadda, further escalating expenses and denying benefits to Telangana farmers.
Uttam termed these actions as acts of betrayal, asserting that they led to inflated costs without delivering tangible outcomes. He pointed out that for the PRLIS, the BRS secured administrative approval for Rs 35,200 crore but spent only about Rs 27,000 crore during its tenure, with minimal operational success. Only one pump of the Palamuru scheme was briefly operated in September 2023, failing to irrigate even a single acre effectively.
Revised Costs and Government Commitment
The minister disclosed that project costs have escalated substantially, with revised estimates for the PRLIS now standing at approximately Rs 55,000 crore, excluding the construction of distributary networks. The total project cost is projected to reach up to Rs 80,000 crore. Despite these financial challenges, Uttam reaffirmed the Congress government's determination to complete the PRLIS regardless of expense.
He provided details on recent expenditures, noting that from December 7, 2023, to date, the government has spent Rs 7,161 crore on the Palamuru project. This includes:
- Rs 6,718 crore on project implementation works
- Rs 284.71 crore on land acquisition
- Rs 63.65 crore on rehabilitation activities (R&R)
- Rs 94 crore on other project-related heads
Additional Measures and Future Plans
In addition to fast-tracking new projects, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy directed irrigation officials to undertake desilting of the Jurala project. This initiative aims to restore its original designed gross storage capacity of 11.94 TMC, which has been reduced to around 9 TMC due to siltation and operational constraints. By enhancing storage capacity, the government seeks to optimize water availability for agricultural and domestic use.
The minister also sought to reassure farmers in Krishna basin regions, promising reliable water access, higher yields, and direct financial support under the current administration. He accused the BRS of engaging in false propaganda over irrigation projects and emphasized the Congress government's farmer-centric approach, vowing to make full utilization of the state's entitlement to river waters without losing a drop.
This comprehensive strategy underscores Telangana's proactive steps toward sustainable water management and agricultural development, setting a clear timeline for project completion and addressing past shortcomings to benefit local communities.
