Hyderabad: KTR irrigation criticism intensified on Tuesday as BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao accused the Telangana government of worsening drought conditions. He alleged that officials had failed to use available river water for agriculture, leaving farmland dry despite flows in the Godavari and Krishna rivers.
KTR made the allegations at Telangana Bhavan while addressing BJP and Congress leaders and activists who joined the BRS. He questioned why farmers faced water shortages when the state’s two major rivers continued to carry water.
He specifically criticised the government for failing to operate the Kannepalli pump house and utilise the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. He also questioned the administration’s handling of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation project, which he said could supply water to agricultural land.
According to KTR, these failures had deprived farmers of irrigation water despite available river resources. He accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of placing political considerations above farmers’ interests. He further alleged that the administration had failed to prepare adequately to protect standing crops.
KTR demands immediate operation of irrigation pumps
KTR compared Telangana’s water management with that of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. He claimed Andhra Pradesh was diverting and using river water while Telangana allowed available water to flow into the sea.
He also questioned the Congress government’s preparedness despite drought warnings. KTR criticised its handling of irrigation resources and asked why preventive measures had not protected agricultural fields.
The BRS leader demanded that the state government immediately operate irrigation pumps and supply water to standing crops. He urged officials to make better use of the Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Ranga Reddy projects rather than allow available river water to go unused.
KTR warned that farmers would hold the government accountable if it failed to provide irrigation water despite available river supplies. His remarks followed the induction of BJP and Congress leaders and activists from Nirmal district into the BRS at Telangana Bhavan.
