Gadwal: The Telangana Government is taking a big step to make sure all irrigation projects in the state are fully used, according to Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy.
On Saturday, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and Animal Husbandry, Youth, and Sports Minister Vakkati Srihari visited the Priyadarshini Jurala Project and Ryalampadu Reservoir in Jogulamba Gadwal district. They checked the operations and safety of the Jurala Project. At a press conference, the Irrigation Minister assured everyone that the Jurala Project is safe.
He mentioned that 58 out of 62 gates work well, while four gates have minor issues but do not threaten the dam’s safety. The Minister pointed out that Jurala has handled big floods before and the government is ensuring safety measures.
Criticism of Previous Government and Current Actions
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy criticized the past government for neglecting irrigation projects. He said the current government is fixing these issues, focusing on operation and maintenance within 18 months of taking office.
He noted that past reports advised against heavy vehicles on the Jurala dam, but the warnings were ignored. The new government has allocated ₹100 crore to build an alternative road and bridge around Jurala.
The Minister also announced ongoing maintenance for major projects like Jurala, Manjeera, and Nagarjuna Sagar. Desiltation is happening to restore Jurala’s capacity, and ₹300 crore is earmarked for a new gantry system.
Increasing Ryalampadu Reservoir Capacity
Plans are underway to increase Ryalampadu Reservoir‘s capacity from 2 TMC to 4 TMC, benefiting farmers. Land acquisition for Mallamma Kunta Reservoir is speeding up, and work on the Ryalampadu connection through the Jurala canal is advancing.
₹25 crore has been released for land acquisition for the Nettempadu Project, with more funds coming soon. A total of ₹2,051 crore is set for the Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Project, aiming for completion by December 2025.
Recruitment of 11,000 New Engineers
To fill staffing gaps, 11,000 new irrigation engineers have been hired. This move contrasts with the previous government, which did not recruit in this sector. The government is committed to improving irrigation infrastructure.
“Our aim is to revive old projects and start new ones, ensuring water prosperity statewide,” said Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy. “We want every farmer and village to thrive through responsible governance.”
Minister Vakkati Srihari praised the Jurala Project’s resilience, highlighting its performance during the 2009 floods when it safely discharged 12 lakh cusecs of water. He dismissed false rumors about the dam’s safety.
Comments from Gadwal MLA and Planning Commission Vice-Chair
Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy commended the Jurala project for greening the area and boosting water supply. He urged for the quick expansion of Ryalampadu to 4 TMC and thanked efforts to redirect heavy vehicles with a new bridge.
Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission Chinna Reddy called for collaboration with Karnataka to enhance water storage and emphasized removing silt from reservoirs to improve capacity.
Key Attendees
The event saw attendance from District Collector B.Y.M. Santhosh, Vanaparthi MLA Megha Reddy, Narayanapet MLA Parnika Reddy, former MLA Sampath Kumar, and several chief engineers and officials.
