Former Minister Niranjan Reddy denounces Congress govt over Palamuru-Rangareddy project delay

BRS senior leader S Niranjan Reddy denounced the Congress government over its alleged neglect of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) and said Congress with betraying Telangana's interests and stalling a nearly completed life line project for political and vested reasons

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS senior leader S Niranjan Reddy denounced the Congress government over its alleged neglect of the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). He charged the Congress with betraying Telangana’s irrigation interests and stalling a nearly completed life line project for political and vested reasons.

He demanded that the remaining works at Narlapur, Vattem, and Yedula be completed in phases to deliver irrigation water without delay. “People are paying the price for this government’s apathy and incompetence,” he said.

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At a press conference in Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Niranjan Reddy pointed out that more than 90 per cent of the PRLIS was completed under the previous BRS regime, including pump houses, tunnels, substations, and reservoirs. Yet, he said the Congress government has not moved a finger in over a year. He questioned the intent behind the recent visit of Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, calling it a symbolic exercise rather than a substantive review.

“Except for 8 km of canal in Package-3, all major components are ready. What is stopping the government from delivering water to 12.3 lakh acres in erstwhile Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, and Ranga Reddy districts?” he asked. He raised concerns about political interference, hinting at influence from Andhra Prades-based TDP leaders in halting canal works.

The former Agriculture Minister criticised the government’s costly proposal to lift water from Yedula reservoir at Rs 1,800 crore, despite the existence of a gravity-based alternative via Vattem reservoir that could cost just Rs 80-Rs 100 crore. “Why is this government pushing inflated tenders without forming an expert committee?” he questioned.

On the larger issue of Krishna river water sharing, Niranjan Reddy warned that Telangana stands to lose severely if it passively accepts the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal’s recent orders. He urged the government to oppose any move that enables Karnataka to increase Almatti dam’s capacity and restrict Telangana’s water flow. “If Almatti retains more, Jurala project will dry up. Telangana must resist this with full force in the May 7 meeting,” he asserted.

The BRS leader also attacked the Congress for failing farmers, by delaying crop procurement, denying bonuses, ignoring insurance dues, and failing to complete loan waivers. “They borrowed Rs 1.7 lakh crore, but gave nothing. Now, they are preaching about loans,” he said, adding that even Congress MLAs are admitting to failures.