metro india news  I hyderabad

Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has instructed the officials to immediately prepare a legal roadmap to challenge the Banakacharla project and ensure that Telangana's case is strongly represented.

The Minister held a comprehensive review meeting with senior officials at Jala Saudha on Wednesday and issued a series of firm directions aimed at protecting Telangana’s water rights and expediting key infrastructure projects.

He declared that the Telangana government would go ahead with legal proceedings to stop the Andhra Pradesh Government’s Godavari–Banakacherla Link project, which he described as illegal and detrimental to the state’s interests.

The review meeting gains added significance in the backdrop of recent developments where Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Uttam Kumar Reddy gave a detailed representation to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi, strongly objecting to the Godavari–Banakacherla proposal.

Further reinforcing the state’s commitment, Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that a detailed presentation on the Godavari–Banakacherla Link project will be held at Praja Bhavan at 3 PM on June 30. He directed that the presentation be updated to include clear documentation on how the project originated during the previous BRS regime, thus exposing the political background behind Andhra’s current move.

The Minister discussed the process of inducting two distinguished Army officers, renowned for their expertise in tunnel technology, into the Telangana Irrigation department to oversee tunnel-related and other irrigation works in the state. These officers were recently involved in the execution of the Rohtang and Zojila tunnel projects.

General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, has been invited to join the Telangana Irrigation department as an Honorary Advisor. Colonel Parikshit Mehra, an internationally acclaimed expert in tunnel technologies and construction, will be joining the department in July.

Turning his attention to critical issues within Telangana, the Minister reviewed the findings of the National Dam Safety Authority on the damaged barrages of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. He directed officials to implement the NDSA’s recommendations without delay. He was informed by the officials that the NDSA itself had offered to work as the design consultant for restoration works.

Emphasising the urgency of the situation, he demanded weekly progress reports and warned that restoration must proceed on a war-footing basis in accordance with Central Water Commission guidelines.

The Minister also reviewed the status of other major works, including the Singur Canal, where tenders have already been called. Uttam Kumar Reddy asked officials to expedite the formalities and ensure the agreements are signed at the earliest. Regarding the Dindi project, he was briefed about the ongoing inter-linkage coordination and the post-borewell design process. He directed officials to meet the respective District Collectors to speed up land acquisition and fast-track project execution.

On the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, the Minister insisted that a LIDAR survey be conducted, stating that while cost was not a constraint, quality and speed were paramount. He directed officials to deploy the best manpower, equipment, infrastructure, and advanced technologies available in the country. He further directed that SLBC works be reviewed on a daily basis.

Addressing longstanding administrative issues, Uttam Kumar Reddy ordered immediate action on pending promotions and transfers within the department. Regarding the desiltation and desedimentation of major irrigation projects, the Minister noted that the Government of India had issued guidelines and even constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to address the issue, given that many reservoirs have lost 20–25 percent of their storage capacity.