CPI MLA draws flak over comments on Kaleshwaram project

Former chairman of Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation demands Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao to withdraw his statement

Hyderabad: Coming down heavily on Communist Party of India (CPI) MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao for his remarks on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project and the Medigadda barrage, former chairman of the Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation V Prakash Rao on Tuesday demanded that Sambasiva Rao withdraw his statement labelling Medigadda a “museum piece” unworthy of rehabilitation funds and urged the CPI to revise its stance on the project, which he described as the “lifeline of Telangana”.

Sambasiva Rao, the lone CPI MLA in the State, recently criticized the Kaleshwaram project, calling it inefficient and advocating for its cancellation in favour of the Pranahita-Chevella scheme. He suggested that smaller barrages, as recommended by reputed engineer Sriramakrishnaiah, would be more effective and claimed that constructing a barrage at Tummidihatti at a height of 142 metres would facilitate gravity flows for irrigation.

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Taking strong exception to these remarks, Prakash Rao accused the legislator of displaying “total ignorance” about the Kaleshwaram project. “Who told you that a barrage at Tummidihatti would enable gravity flows? This smacks of a basic lack of knowledge about the State’s irrigation prospects,” he said, also criticising Sambasiva Rao’s visit to Medigadda alongside Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s entourage, asking, “What understanding of the Medigadda barrage could you gain from such a tour?”

Prakash Rao also challenged Sambasiva Rao’s claim that his views reflected the CPI’s official stance, warning that the party would get alienated from Telangana’s people if it continued to oppose the project. “If the CPI does not amend its position, the people of Telangana will write off the party, costing it the lone seat it has won,” he cautioned.