Confusion reigns supreme as CM and Ministers differ on SLBC project deadline

The Congress government faces criticism over conflicting deadlines for the completion of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal project, with Ministers announcing different timelines. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy sought to end the confusion by assuring completion before the 2029 Assembly elections.

Nalgonda: The Congress government’s lack of planning and commitment towards completing the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project came to the fore once again, with its Ministers announcing differing deadlines for completion of the long-pending irrigation project.

In September 2025, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy had stated that the SLBC project would be completed by December 2027. However, addressing a public meeting at the Nagarjuna Government College Grounds here on Sunday, Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy announced that the project would be completed by August 2028.

---

Contradicting his Cabinet colleague, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, speaking at the same meeting, declared that the SLBC project would be completed before the next Assembly elections. The Chief Minister has repeatedly maintained that the next Assembly elections would be held in 2029, not 2028.

“Before the next elections, the SLBC project will be completed and Krishna river waters will be provided to the fields of Nalgonda. All support will also be extended for completion of the Dindi project,” Revanth Reddy assured.

The Chief Minister once again launched a sharp attack on those opposing the Musi Rejuvenation Project. “My life’s ambition is the rejuvenation of the Musi. I take a vow to complete the project irrespective of the hurdles created by vested interests. They will be strangulated in the Musi and the rejuvenation project will be completed,” he said.

Responding to criticism from opposition parties over the government’s alleged failure to fulfil its election promises, Revanth Reddy said he was prepared to discuss the Congress government’s performance in the Assembly.

He alleged that opposition parties were misleading the public because the government had failed to effectively publicise its achievements. “People should debate the Congress government’s performance at Rachabandas in villages, while drinking toddy under palm trees, at bars and beer shops, and even at funerals,” Revanth Reddy said.

The Chief Minister also accused the opposition of spreading misinformation regarding alleged irregularities in the Social Welfare Department. He said SC, ST Welfare Minister Adluri Laxman had floated tenders worth Rs. 687 crore, but the opposition was alleging a scam worth Rs. 3,000 crore. When the Minister challenged them to a public debate, they failed to respond, he claimed.

Listing the government’s achievements over the past two-and-a-half years, Revanth Reddy said around 70,000 jobs had been provided. He said Rythu Bharosa assistance of Rs. 6,000 per acre had been extended, with total disbursements touching Rs. 27,000 crore. He added that new ration cards had been issued, fine rice was being distributed through the PDS and fee reimbursement was being implemented.

“Should the Congress government be dethroned despite implementing all these welfare and development programmes?” the Chief Minister asked.