BRS spent ₹90,000 Cr on Kaleshwaram, just 30% on Palamuru–Rangareddy: Irrigation Minister Uttam in Assembly

Hyderabad: Alleging gross neglect of Krishna basin projects, Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has said the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government spent only 30 per cent of the sanctioned funds on the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project, while diverting the bulk of resources towards the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

Participating in a detailed debate on irrigation projects in the Telangana Legislative Assembly here on Saturday, the Minister said flawed planning, delayed approvals and arbitrary changes in design severely damaged the Palamuru–Rangareddy project.

Delayed DPR, lack of commitment

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the BRS government issued a Government Order for the Palamuru–Rangareddy project in 2015, but submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) only in 2022, reflecting its lack of seriousness.

He remarked that while extraordinary effort was made to secure clearances for Kaleshwaram, the same urgency was never shown for Palamuru, resulting in cost escalation and execution delays.

Wide gap in spending priorities

Drawing a sharp comparison, the Minister said the previous government spent nearly Rs 90,000 crore on Kaleshwaram, but allocated only about Rs 27,000 crore for Palamuru–Rangareddy.

He criticised what he called “tokenism,” alleging that a single motor was briefly switched on and the project was declared dedicated to the nation, only for the motor to be shut down the very next day.

Water source shift led to heavy losses

The Minister said a major policy blunder was changing the project’s water source from the Jurala Project to the Srisailam Reservoir.

From Jurala, Telangana could have lifted 2.8 TMC per day, enabling withdrawal of 121 TMC in 60 days. After shifting to Srisailam, the effective drawal dropped to 68 TMC. The number of pumps increased from 22 to 37, and lift height rose from 414 metres to nearly 560 metres, sharply increasing power and maintenance costs, he said.

He also alleged that the DPR was prepared without properly addressing ayacut canals or land acquisition requirements.

Alleged neglect of Krishna Basin Interests

Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the previous government of remaining a “mute spectator” while Andhra Pradesh allegedly diverted Krishna waters illegally from the Srisailam backwaters.

He said Andhra Pradesh expanded its infrastructure to draw as much as 13 TMC per day, while the BRS government failed to raise objections, even when the Rayalaseema lift irrigation works were taken up.

Steps taken by present government

The Minister said that immediately after assuming office, the present government approached the Centre, following which works related to the Rayalaseema lift irrigation project were halted.

He also stated that Telangana utilised more Krishna waters during the 2024–25 season than during the BRS regime, asserting that the State is now proactively safeguarding its river water rights.

Pending bills, water share and land acquisition

Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that irrigation contractors were left unpaid to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore by the previous government.

He further said Telangana was earlier forced to accept only 299 TMC of Krishna waters, despite being entitled to a higher share under basin norms. The present government, he added, is now demanding an additional 55 TMC.

Land acquisition for nearly 39,000 acres under the Palamuru–Rangareddy project is still pending, he informed the House.

“Krishna projects were systematically ignored”

Concluding his speech, the Minister said excessive focus on Kaleshwaram resulted in long-term damage to Krishna basin projects, particularly Palamuru–Rangareddy.

He asserted that the present government is committed to correcting past mistakes, completing pending works and ensuring equitable water distribution to farmers in southern Telangana.

Government ensuring timely payments, says Deputy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka told the Telangana Legislative Assembly that payments are being released periodically based on the priority of projects and pending bills.

He said Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is personally conducting special reviews of all Krishna river projects, with particular focus on the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project.

Bhatti Vikramarka clarified that the people’s government is working with utmost seriousness on the SLBC tunnel-related works, and that the Chief Minister has directed officials to ensure regular release of bills in accordance with project importance.

He added that Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy is holding frequent reviews of Krishna basin projects, while parallel discussions are underway with the Finance Department to clear pending dues.

The Deputy Chief Minister categorically stated that delays in bill payments are due to contractors, and not because of any lapse on the part of the government.