Nalgonda: Telangana Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy welcomed the decision to allocate 0.6 TMC of water to the Dindi project. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy took the decision. Sukender Reddy said it is a step towards fulfilling the long-cherished aspirations of the people of erstwhile Nalgonda district. He also thanked Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy.
Sukender Reddy addressed a media conference at his camp office in Nalgonda. He spoke on irrigation projects in the state and the Dindi lift irrigation scheme. He also discussed the Palamuru–Rangareddy project and the use of Krishna waters.
He said the comments of Mahabubnagar MP DK Aruna on the Dindi lift scheme are not correct. According to him, talk of cancelling the project is not reasonable. He said Aruna is a key leader in a national party and a BJP MP. Therefore, she should work for irrigation projects instead of divisions between regions, he said.
Dindi project targets fluoride-hit areas
He urged Aruna to press the Centre for national project status for the Palamuru–Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme. That would bring the funds needed for construction and speed up pending works, he said.
Further, he said the Dindi project is not just an irrigation scheme. It aims to change the lives of people in Devarakonda and Munugode, who have faced the fluoride problem for decades. He added that the project was designed to supply safe water to fluoride-affected areas, considering World Health Organisation suggestions.
Sukender Reddy said dividing water resources by region and creating disputes is not good. He said the argument that each district should use its own water is wrong. If other states followed that approach, not a drop of water would reach Telangana from Karnataka, he said.
He also recalled that AMRP supplies 30 TMC of water to Hyderabad. The state needs to keep its overall interests in mind and avoid regional differences over water use, he said.
In erstwhile Nalgonda district, proposed projects target irrigation for about 10 lakh acres. Meanwhile, facilities exist for 7.78 lakh acres of ayacut. He said SLBC, Udayasamudram, Devadula and the Dindi project have proposals to irrigate 7.58 lakh acres. However, their works remain incomplete.
Krishna basin projects need priority
He criticised previous governments for not giving priority to Krishna basin projects. Many projects would have reached completion if half the Kaleshwaram funds had gone to them, he said. Besides, the SLBC tunnel has no separate ayacut. There is a proposal to supply water by lift until the tunnel is complete, and all options need examination, he said.
In erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, proposals cover about 10 lakh acres, while facilities exist for 8.50 lakh acres. He said irrigation is essential to stop decades-long migration from Palamuru. Completing the Palamuru–Rangareddy project would greatly benefit farmers, he added.
Water disputes between Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar people harm both regions, he said. He added that their aim is justice for farmers of both districts. He also said states should resolve water issues through talks. He hoped Telangana’s talks with the Maharashtra government succeed in the state’s favour.
Sukender Reddy appreciated CPI and CPM leaders and people’s organisations for their continuous efforts on irrigation projects. He called on all to work together beyond party lines. Additionally, he said the Chief Minister had explained the ground conditions to the people. These included the El Nino effect and the impact of climate change on water availability.
The government is moving ahead to complete pending projects, and Krishna basin projects need priority, he said. He urged everyone to work together, beyond politics and regional differences, to protect farmers in Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar.