Gadwal: Heavy monsoon rains have filled the Priyadarshini Jurala Project with water, but the failure to supply this water to nearby reservoirs through the Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Scheme has sparked criticism. Nagar Doddi Venkataramulu, a senior leader from BRS, has accused local leaders and irrigation officials of neglect, causing an irrigation crisis in the Nadigadda area.
Though the Jurala project has received significant floodwaters, authorities have not transferred this water to the Guddemdoddi Reservoir (1 TMC capacity) and Ryalampadu Reservoir (2 TMC capacity). These reservoirs were built under the Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Scheme to support farmers. For 15 days, water pumping was halted due to “leakage issues,” letting valuable floodwaters go downstream instead of filling smaller reservoirs like Chinnonipally, Tatikunta, Sangala, and Nagar Doddi.
Venkataramulu criticized this as a failure of local administration and leadership. He noted that despite floodwaters reaching the Srisailam Project on May 30, the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme motors remain inactive after 36 days. He accused the government, led by Revanth Reddy, of mismanaging Krishna river water since Telangana’s formation and claimed the Congress is undermining the state’s irrigation infrastructure.
Venkataramulu alleged that Revanth Reddy surrendered 65 TMC of Krishna water to Andhra Pradesh to benefit TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, questioning their relationship. He pointed out that while a “crop holiday” was declared in Mahabubnagar, water is diverted to Andhra for a third crop, betraying Telangana farmers’ interests.
He warned that if water isn’t released to local reservoirs, thousands of farmers might protest by manually activating the motors at the Jurala Project. Venkataramulu urged the state government to address Mahabubnagar farmers’ water needs urgently, or face a mass farmers’ movement.
The situation has worsened due to heavy rains, leaving irrigation reservoirs dry. Officials stopped water pumping for 15 days, citing leakage, leading to criticism from the BRS leader. Srisailam received water 36 days ago, but Kalwakurthy pump houses remain inactive. There are allegations against Revanth Reddy for giving 65 TMC to Andhra Pradesh for Chandrababu Naidu. Farmers in Mahabubnagar face water shortages while Andhra gets water for a third crop. Farmers threaten mass protests if action isn’t taken.
This situation shows growing dissatisfaction among Telangana farmers, especially in Mahabubnagar, over perceived neglect and policy failures by the current state administration.
