The irrigation sector in Telangana has undergone significant changes over the past nine years. Previously, the Telangana region faced a severe irrigation water shortage in Andhra Pradesh. However, completion of long-pending projects and new initiatives have led to abundant water for irrigation in the State.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao introduced reforms and made efficient improvements in the irrigation sector. The world’s largest Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme was completed within three years. This project allowed for the use of more than 400 tmcft of water, a significant increase from the previous maximum of 90 tmcft.
Several new projects have also been completed on the Krishna river. In Palamuru district alone, four projects are now available, irrigating more than eight lakh acres. Additionally, Koilsagar has irrigated 50,250 acres, the Kalwakurti lift scheme has irrigated 3.85 lakh acres, Rajiv Bhima has irrigated two lakh acres, and Nettempadu has irrigated another two lakh acres.
Kaleshwaram has helped transform drought areas into fertile land where crops can now be grown. The cultivated area has almost doubled, with horticultural crops grown in an additional 15-20 lakh acres every year.
The government invested Rs.1.69 lakh crore in projects between 2014 and 2023 compared to only Rs.38,405.2 crore spent by the previous government between 2004 and 2014. The percentage increase in cultivated area in Telangana over nine years was 117%, which is significantly higher than the country’s average of 7.7% over 75 years.
Several pending projects have been completed by the government in seven years, including Kalvakurthi, Rajeev Bhima, Nettempadu, Koilsagar, Mid Manair, Singuru Canals, Ellampalli, Kinnerasani, Palemvagu, KumrabhimmattadiVagu, Neelvai, and Jagannathpur.
Officials have made technical information about pump houses, reservoirs, canals, ponds, rainfall details, river inflow, and groundwater conditions available in one place. These efforts have helped keep lands wet with water streams. The government aims to further expand the irrigation sector and increase the number of reservoirs in Telangana.
