Hyderabad: Former minister Tanneeru Harish Rao demanded ₹30 crore for Kaleshwaram canals land acquisition to complete canal works linked to reservoirs in Siddipet district.
Harish Rao wrote to state Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy seeking funds for land acquisition for canal construction under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
In the letter, he requested ₹15 crore for the Annapurna (Antagiri) reservoir Package-10 and ₹15 crore for the Ranganayaka Sagar reservoir Package-11. According to him, the funds were required to complete Kaleshwaram canals land acquisition for minor and sub-minor canal construction.
He said the reservoirs helped complete main and distributary canals between 2020 and 2023. As a result, nearly one lakh acres of new ayacut was created in Siddipet district.
Water from the reservoirs reached tanks, ponds, streams and check dams through canal networks during every Yasangi season. In addition, irrigation water was supplied directly to farmland, benefiting farmers in the region.
Harish Rao said crop yields improved significantly due to the irrigation support. Therefore, he urged the government to continue the canal expansion through Kaleshwaram canals land acquisition.
Harish Rao alleges delay in Kaleshwaram canals land acquisition
However, the former minister accused the government of neglecting the reservoirs after 2023. He said the Congress government had not allocated even a single rupee for the project in the past 27 months.
He also claimed that no canal excavation had taken place during this period. According to him, land acquisition was essential for constructing minor and sub-minor canals linked to the reservoirs.
Harish Rao stated that he had repeatedly raised the issue with the government. He said he had explained the need for Kaleshwaram canals land acquisition through letters, phone calls and personal meetings with officials.
He added that the Congress government’s slogan of “more ayacut with less expenditure” could be achieved in Siddipet district if the canals were completed.
The former minister said allocating ₹30 crore would allow authorities to finish the required land acquisition process. Once completed, the project could create another one lakh acres of new ayacut.
He urged the state government to release the funds immediately and begin land acquisition for the canal network. Harish Rao said the request was made on behalf of farmers who depended on irrigation expansion in the district.
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— Office of Harish Rao (@HarishRaoOffice) March 14, 2026