Hyderabad: Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao released Godavari water into the Rajiv Link Canal to strengthen irrigation supply for the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut. Tummala and MLA Payam Venkateswarlu switched on a motor at the Sitarama Pump House in Aswapuram mandal to release the water.
The minister said inadequate rainfall under the influence of El Niño had created difficulties for crop cultivation. Therefore, Godavari water supplied through the canal would provide support to farmers under the Sagar command area. Tummala also asked farmers not to worry about irrigation availability.
Rajiv Link Canal to support farmers amid rainfall concerns
Tummala said the Godavari supply through the Rajiv Link Canal had become a source of assurance for the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut. Meanwhile, he directed officials to complete the Marellapadu lift irrigation scheme before the end of the month.
The minister warned against political interference in matters involving water supply. He said the government would not tolerate politics over irrigation water. Tummala also addressed concerns among farmers whose agricultural lands required pipeline works.
He assured them that authorities would restore the land after laying the pipelines. Consequently, farmers could resume cultivation on those lands after completion of the works.
Rajiv Link Canal release followed by Marellapadu push
Tummala expressed concern over taking water to Khammam without first providing it to Pinapaka. However, he said the government would complete the Marellapadu lift irrigation scheme by the end of the month despite obstacles.
He maintained that political opposition would not stop completion of the project within the targeted period. The Rajiv Link Canal water release sought to strengthen irrigation availability at a time when inadequate rainfall had affected cultivation.
Tummala said farmers should remain confident about water availability. Moreover, he reiterated that officials would restore agricultural land disturbed during pipeline installation. The minister also made completion of the Marellapadu scheme a priority and fixed the end of the month as the deadline.