Hyderabad: Former minister and senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao on Friday alleged that the Devadula Lift Irrigation Project remained non-operational despite adequate water flow in the Godavari River, accusing the Congress government of neglecting farmers.
After inspecting the Devannapeta pump house, Harish Rao said all three motors were shut even as 16,000 cusecs of water flowed near Sammakka Sagar. As a result, farmers in Warangal, Jangaon and Palakurthi were left without irrigation support, he said.
He claimed that nearly 60,000 acres of crops had dried up last year due to the non-operation of the pumps. According to him, the previous BRS government had completed more than 80% of the Devadula Lift Irrigation Project works. He said the ayacut was expanded to 3.17 lakh acres after spending Rs.7,300 crore.
Devadula Lift Irrigation Project funding and utilisation concerns
However, Harish Rao alleged that the Congress government had not added a single new acre under the Devadula Lift Irrigation Project in the past two-and-half years. He also claimed that the government failed to release Rs.8 crore in maintenance funds on time. Consequently, he estimated losses between Rs.700 crore and Rs.800 crore.
The BRS leader further accused the government of failing to safeguard Telangana’s share in Krishna and Godavari river waters. He alleged that water was allowed to flow to Andhra Pradesh while Telangana farmers were denied irrigation. He also pointed to projects such as Medigadda, Devadula and Sitarama Sagar, stating that they were not being properly utilised.
In addition, he criticised delays in Rythu Bandhu assistance and alleged frequent power cuts. He also claimed that fertiliser shortages, including urea, forced farmers to stand in long queues. Harish Rao demanded that the government immediately operate all motors at the Devadula Lift Irrigation Project and ensure water supply to at least 3.5 lakh acres. He said the government must start the motors without delay to protect standing crops.