English 
Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri K. Chandrashekar Rao suggested that works on irrigation projects should speed up and proper strategies to be implemented to overcome the obstacles. The CM has held an extended review meeting on the irrigation projects at Pragati Bhavan here on Friday. Ministers Sri T. Harish Rao, Sri Etela Rajender, Mission Bhagiratha Vice Chairman Sri Vemula Prashanth Reddy, MDC Chairman Sri Subhash Reddy, Whip Sri Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Chief Secretary Sri SP. Singh, Special Chief secretary Sri SK. Joshi, Secretary Vikas Raj, E-in-C Sri Muralidhar, representatives of the working agencies, CM secretary Ms Smita Sabharwal and others participated. A detailed and thorough discussion is held on the challenges faced, strategies to overcome the hurdles and the time frame for the completion of the irrigation projects. The review is also held on Sri Ramadasu, Kaleshwaram and Palamur projects construction. The CM inquired about the works done on Nagarjuna Sagar canals and Kakatiya canals. The CM also gave suggestions on completion of these projects and for supplying water to the agriculture during the on set of Monsoon.
“The meteorology officials are predicting bountiful rain this Monsoon like the one we had last year. They say there is no El Nino effect. Next four years too we are expecting a good rain. This is an auspicious beginning. We have to complete the projects speedily and supply water to the agriculture sector. Construction of irrigation projects is top on our government’s agenda. This is very necessary for our farming community. This is the reason why we have allocated more funds in the Budget. We are paying bills without fail every month for the irrigation department. We will ensure that there is no dearth of funds. Though we have 954 TMC of water in Godavari we are not been able to utilise it due to lack of projects. We have to utilise the share of water given to us. Of this, Kaleshwaram project is important. Along with works on Medigadda barrage other works should also be completed parallelly. Works on lifting water should be completed before the completion of Medigadda barrage. Works should be completed by March 2018. Water should be provided by next Kharif season. Take up construction works to supply water from Medigadda to Yellampally, Yellampally to Mid Maner, Mid Maner to Mallanna Sagar. Water should be diverted through Flood flow Canal to SRSP canal. Desilt the Channels. For this there are many methods being applied internationally. In China, major lift irrigation projects are constructed and maintained well. Engineers and officials team led by Irrigation Minister should visit China and study the projects,” the CM said.
“Along with civil and earth works, procure equipment and material for the electric works. Keep them ready at the project site. Coordinate with the electricity department for the construction of power Sub Stations and setting up of transmission lines. Projects are constructed in a big way in Telangana state and this is a good opportunity for the working agencies. Take this opportunity and prove your merit. We will also improve our efficiency from the government side. For getting forest clearances, if need be, I will personally go to Delhi and meet the ministers concerned,” the CM announced.
“We are constructing projects along with Godavari from Adilabad to Khammam where there is availability of water. We have to utilise Krishna Water with proper strategy and based on the ground realities. Since more utilisation is there at Jurala point, we should think of Srisailam point and other places. Decrease the pressure at Jurala. We are supplying Godavari water to certain areas in Nalgonda district depended on Krishna River. Some areas in Khammam also getting the Godavari water,” the CM explained.“We are spending thousands of crores and building projects. We are constructing reservoirs for storing water. To supply water, canal system should be in good shape. Canals above and below LMD should have the strength to withstand the regular flow. Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme’s canals should also be bettered. What is their condition now, what should be done, what should be done to increase their capacity, should we widen the existing canals or dig new canals? Constitute a Committee with the engineers to study these issues and take a decision. We will start those works. There is no point in constructing barrages and reservoirs without a proper canal system. Important factor is to increase capacity of canals,” the CM said.
“Medium Irrigation projects in Adilabad district have become a joke. If there are projects, there is no water and where there is water, there are no canals. Infact Adilabad receives the highest rainfall and through gravity water can be supplied in the district. Complete all the medium irrigation projects in the district,” the CM instructed.
Responding to this, Minister for Irrigation Sri T. Harish Rao said,” Soon after the Telangana State is formed, we have focussed on Adilabad district. Through Gaddenna Vagu project so far we are giving water to 10,000 acres. We will complete Satnala and NTR Sagar project by July. We have given water to 70,000 acres more in the district by repairing Tanks and digging new ones. We will complete all medium irrigation projects in Adilabad district by next Kharif season. We will also speed up the new projects.”
“This year, under Mission Kakatiya 36,000 tanks will be revived. So far, we have invited tenders for 4,500 Tanks. Revival of 24,000 Tanks will also be done with the existing works,” Harish Rao explained.
“Repair Kakatiya Canal and ensure that water flows till Kodad without any problem. Expedite the sadhar maatu works. Since we are filling up SRSP, do we need Pattiapaka Reservoir? If yes, what should be the capacity of the reservoir, how many TMCs? Examine this and also how to give water to Bodhan from the backwaters of Nizamsagar. We are supplying water from Yellampally to SRSP. Also examine to increase capacity of Manchikattu Reservoir to 5 TMC. How much water can be drawn by gravity through Pulichintala, “the CM instructed.
The CM also examined the recommendation given by the Cabinet Sub Committee to lift 0.75 TMC of water from Kaleshwaram through SRSP flood flow Canal by reverse pumping. When Vice-Chairman of Mission Bhagiratha & MLA Sri Prashanth Reddy has requested the CM to accept this, the CM agreed. One TMC of water should be lifted to be supplied to Kamareddy and Yellareddy through SRSP at a cost of Rs. 650 Crore, the CM said.
“Without waiting for the major projects’ total completion, river water should be diverted to the Tanks. This will help increase the ground water table, which will in turn help farming under borewells. In our State, we have 25 lakh borewells and we are supplying power to them. Hence it is important to increase the ground water table. Make it an important exercise to fill up all the tanks. We have sent the Land Acquisition Act that we have passed to the Centre. We will get clearance from the centre and all the issues of the land acquisition will be solved. Land acquisition will also speed up. Farmers will also get more benefit by this Act. There is no dearth of funds for the construction of projects and the government is ready to give funds required. We will release the funds every month,” the CM explained.
The CM also said,” Since we have taken up construction of projects in a big way, utilise the services of the retired engineers and those retiring if they seek extension, we will give them. If need be, new appointments will be made. We will also appoint electrical engineers for the maintenance of Pumping stations and Intake Wells,” the CM assured.
