Uttam Kumar reasserts 90 TMC for Palamuru

Blames BRS for delays and neglect

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has strongly reiterated the Congress government’s commitment to completing the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) with its originally approved water allocation of 90 TMC, rejecting allegations of any dilution or deviation from the project design.

Speaking to media persons, the Minister clarified that the present government is strictly following the Government Order issued by the previous BRS government on August 18, 2022, which proposed 90 TMC—45 TMC from savings in minor irrigation schemes and another 45 TMC from Telangana’s share due to Andhra Pradesh’s diversion of Godavari waters. He stated that the BRS itself sought 90 TMC in its submissions to the Centre and accused the opposition of deliberately spreading misinformation on the issue.

Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that despite initiating PRLIS, the previous BRS government failed to complete key links such as Narlapur to Edula and did not commence distributary and ayacut canal works, even though the project is intended to irrigate over 12.3 lakh acres across drought-prone districts including Nagarkurnool, Rangareddy, Vikarabad, Narayanpet and parts of Nalgonda and Khammam. He also accused the earlier regime of neglecting several critical irrigation projects such as SLBC, Kalwakurthy, Koilsagar, Nettempadu, Bheema and Dindi.

The Minister pointed out that while over Rs 1 lakh crore was spent on the Kaleshwaram project, only Rs 27,000 crore was allocated to PRLIS over a decade, resulting in negligible progress. He noted that although the project’s initial estimate was Rs 35,000 crore, the BRS government itself escalated the cost to Rs 55,000 crore by the time the DPR was submitted to the Central Water Commission after a seven-year delay—without accounting for full land acquisition, ayacut canals and R&R costs, pushing the likely total cost beyond Rs 70,000 crore.

Despite spending Rs 27,000 crore, the BRS government failed to supply water to a single acre, he said. In contrast, the Congress government has spent Rs 7,000 crore in two years, installed 11 pumps, executed major earth and concrete works, and laid pressure mains to accelerate progress. He further alleged discrimination against the Palamuru region and deliberate slowing of works under the previous regime.

Uttam Kumar Reddy asserted that the BRS left office without securing essential clearances for PRLIS and reaffirmed that the Congress government will complete the project and ensure water reaches Palamuru, warning against attempts to mislead the public.

Cong intentionally stalled Palamuru Project: KTR

Bharat Rashtra Samithi Working President K.T. Rama Rao strongly criticised the Congress government and CM A Revanth Reddy during an informal interaction with the media at the Telangana Assembly premises, alleging deliberate negligence, political vendetta and lack of basic understanding of governance, particularly on irrigation and development issues.

KTR stated that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has intentionally stalled the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project out of fear that its completion would bring credit to former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. He further claimed that Revanth Reddy was also acting to avoid displeasing his “former boss” Chandrababu Naidu, as drawing Krishna river waters could politically upset Andhra Pradesh leadership. According to KTR, the Congress government has not only halted the project but has also failed to complete even basic canal works.

Defending the Kaleshwaram project, KTR said it stands as a symbol of KCR’s commitment and resolve. He pointed out that while projects like Polavaram have remained incomplete for decades, Kaleshwaram was completed during KCR’s tenure by working against time. He asserted that inquiries or investigations into Kaleshwaram may harm the state but will not politically damage BRS, as people clearly know who delivered irrigation water to Telangana.

KTR criticised the Congress leadership for lacking fundamental knowledge of irrigation, stating that “irrigation cannot be learnt by reading for a few days; it requires love for the state.” He mocked the Chief Minister’s alleged ignorance about river basins and major national projects, questioning how such leadership could seek debates with KCR on irrigation.

On GHMC delimitation, KTR accused the Congress government of pursuing unscientific and arbitrary division of the civic body purely for financial gains. He alleged that brokers and merchant bankers were driving the process and warned that BRS would strongly oppose any such moves without proper discussion.

Addressing the phone tapping issue, KTR termed the ongoing SITs and investigations as diversionary tactics to distract public attention from governance failures. He questioned the lack of clarity from officials and asked what concrete outcomes the multiple probes had achieved so far.

KTR said the recent Sarpanch elections reflected a clear rejection of Congress rule, calling them a “referendum on governance.” He claimed that within just two years, public anger against Congress had intensified due to unfulfilled promises, mounting debt and administrative inefficiency.