Gadwal, Telangana – A renewed plan to shift water from the Joorala project to the Pakala reservoir has sparked fresh protests in the region. BJP leader S. Ramachandra Reddy strongly criticized the proposal, warning it could lead to mass public agitation.
The issue gained traction after Chief Minister Revanth Reddy discussed the idea during a meeting with top engineering officials. The plan involves diverting water from the Krishna River Basin to the Godavari Basin, covering a distance of over 400 kilometers. Critics say this makes little sense when the Godavari River, which flows near Pakala, sends over 1,000 TMCs of unused water into the sea each year.
Speaking at a local event, Ramachandra Reddy questioned why the government would consider such a costly and complex inter-basin transfer. He pointed out that many key irrigation projects in the Palamuru region—including RDS (Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme), Nettempadu, Gattu, Bheema, Koilsagar, Kalwakurthy, and the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project—are still incomplete.
“How can the government even think of spending ₹2 lakh crore on a new plan when basic irrigation projects here are unfinished?” he asked. He added that this neglect disrespects the long-standing struggles of local farmers who have waited for water for decades.
Reddy reminded people that a similar plan was floated in 2014, causing widespread protests across the undivided Mahabubnagar district. He said the BJP is ready to organize fresh protests if the government pushes the proposal forward without addressing local needs first.
He urged the state to prioritize the completion of all existing irrigation works. This includes extending the RDS canal to its final reach and speeding up work on all pending schemes in the region.
If the government fails to act, Reddy warned that farmers, local residents, and BJP members will launch a massive agitation to defend their water rights.
The meeting saw support from key local BJP leaders, including Aija Town President Kompati Bhagat Reddy, Mandal President Gopalakrishna, along with Lakshman Goud, Nagaraju, and several activists.
With tensions rising, the fight over water in Gadwal could soon become a major political flashpoint in Telangana. Locals are demanding practical solutions that prioritize their immediate irrigation needs over expensive new ventures.
