Hyderabad: Telangana Irrigation Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Wednesday that the state government will initiate legal action against Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Godavari–Banakacherla Link project, calling it unlawful and detrimental to Telangana’s water interests.
In a high-level review at Jala Saudha, Uttam directed officials to prepare a legal strategy to challenge the project and ensure Telangana’s water allocations are protected. This follows recent representations made by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Uttam to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, who assured that the Centre had not approved the project and would soon convene an Apex Council meeting.
A detailed presentation on the issue is scheduled for June 30 at Praja Bhavan, which will include documentation linking the project’s origin to the previous BRS regime.
The minister also announced the induction of two Army tunnel specialists General Harpal Singh and Colonel Parikshit Mehra into the Irrigation Department to guide tunnel-related projects. Both officers were involved in the Rohtang and Zojila tunnels.
Uttam reviewed the National Dam Safety Authority’s findings on the damaged Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, instructing immediate implementation of NDSA’s recommendations. Weekly progress reports are now mandatory.
On project-specific updates, Uttam called for fast-tracking tender finalisations for the Singur Canal and land acquisition for the Dindi project. He instructed a LIDAR survey and aggressive execution pace for the Srisailam Left Bank Canal project.
Responding to departmental issues, the minister ordered immediate resolution of long-pending promotions and transfers, particularly for Assistant Executive Engineers awaiting promotion to Deputy Executive Engineer posts.
Regarding desiltation, Uttam instructed that works begin at Nagarjuna Sagar and that Andhra Pradesh be formally notified. He also pressed for accelerated work on the Devadula and Sitarama projects.
Concluding the session, Uttam made it clear that weekly reviews will be held for all irrigation projects, with accountability enforced on delays. He reaffirmed the government’s focus on revitalising the irrigation sector to support Telangana’s farmers.
