Hyderabad, December 21, 2025 — Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) said that the formation of Andhra Pradesh itself turned into a major curse for Telangana, with Mahabubnagar district suffering the most severe injustice during the united Andhra Pradesh regime.
Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad, KCR stated that the old Mahabubnagar district was the most discriminated district in the united state, despite its strategic location and water resources.
Mahabubnagar Bore the Brunt Despite Krishna Flowing Through It
KCR pointed out that the Krishna River enters Telangana through Mahabubnagar district and flows for more than 300 kilometres within the district, yet the region remained chronically drought-hit for decades.
He said that despite the Congress ruling for nearly 50 years and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ruling for about 20 years, Palamuru was pushed into irreversible backwardness.
According to KCR, under the Upper Krishna, Bhima, and Tungabhadra Left Bank projects, nearly 174 TMC of water was originally intended to reach the Palamuru–Rangareddy region, but those allocations were never honoured.
He alleged that several proposed irrigation projects were cancelled after the formation of Andhra Pradesh, in violation of the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC) Act, which mandates the continuation of approved projects.
Abandonment of Godavari and Krishna Projects
KCR said projects such as the Devanuru project on the Godavari and various proposals including Ichampally were abandoned, resulting in severe injustice to Mahabubnagar district.
“Andhra Pradesh’s formation itself became a curse for Telangana. Mahabubnagar suffered the worst,” he said.
Palamuru Lift Irrigation Is Not a New Concept
KCR clarified that the Palamuru Lift Irrigation Scheme is not a new idea but was part of earlier designs to utilise 174 TMC of water. He recalled that during the Telangana movement, the issue was taken to the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal, but the plea was rejected as it dealt only with inter-state disputes.
He said that during the united state, not a single leader even demanded minimal water allocation for Palamuru.
KCR noted that the Bachawat Tribunal later allocated 17 TMC to the Jurala project but imposed conditions restricting lifting and new constructions. Despite allocations between 1974–1978, successive governments failed to implement them.
Neglect of Jurala and RDS Canal
KCR said a foundation stone was laid for Jurala when Anjaiah was Chief Minister, but the project was neglected because it was located in Telangana. The barrage was partially constructed without canals, allowing Krishna water to pass through without irrigating fields.
This situation continued until 2001, when the Telangana movement gained momentum, he said.
Chandrababu Built Jurala Only After Pressure: KCR
KCR accused former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of laying numerous foundation stones in Mahabubnagar without delivering results.
He said that not a single drop of water reached fields, forcing people from every constituency in Palamuru to migrate to Mumbai for livelihood.
KCR alleged that Chandrababu failed to pay ₹13 crore compensation to Karnataka for Jurala submergence and only completed the project after being publicly questioned at the first Palamuru Maha Sabha.
He further alleged that later a TDP MLA blew up the RDS canal using explosives.
Decades of Deception and Protests
KCR said his first padayatra during the Telangana movement, from Jogulamba to Gadwal, was undertaken to expose this injustice.
He pointed out that the RDS canal, designed to irrigate 80,000 acres, served barely 10,000 acres, and no one questioned it.
After sustained agitation, a link canal from Jurala to RDS was constructed, but even that failed to provide meaningful relief.
Revival of Irrigation Projects After Telangana Formation
KCR said he always described Palamuru as not a backward region, but a deliberately pushed-back region.
He recalled how gruel centres were opened during summers due to extreme poverty in the district.
After Telangana’s formation, the government reviewed all pending projects and rightful water shares, and revived projects like Nettampadu, Bhima, and Kalwakurthy on a war footing.
He said these efforts created irrigation facilities for 6.5 lakh acres, and several check dams were constructed.
Due to injustice in the RDS canal, the government constructed the Thummilla Lift Irrigation Project on the Tungabhadra river and completed it.
Mission Kakatiya and Minor Irrigation
KCR said Mission Kakatiya was given top priority to restore minor irrigation tanks, increasing storage capacity and benefiting nearly 1.5 lakh acres.
Strategy Behind Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme
KCR said Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts fall entirely within the Krishna basin, and every drop of rain flows into the river.
To escape injustice, Telangana fought for its rightful share by seeking Krishna water reallocation through a tribunal and launching the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The scheme aimed to utilise 173 TMC of water, accounting for technical and inter-state constraints.
Telangana submitted detailed data to the Centre, including minor irrigation capacity during the Bachawat Tribunal period and current capacities.
Of this, 90.81 TMC was proposed initially, with the remainder to be attached if additional allocation became available.
Project Cost and Progress
KCR said the project was sanctioned at ₹35,000 crore, of which ₹27,000 crore was spent, completing 88–90% of the works.
To accelerate water lifting amid disputes with Andhra Pradesh, 145 MW capacity pumps were installed, specially designed by BHEL.
Despite hurdles in approvals and land acquisition, the government successfully acquired 27,000 acres of land, KCR said.
