Harish Rao calls Sita Rama project result of KCR’s vision for Telangana

He pointed out that while Congress leaders had earlier opposed the project, filed court cases, and questioned its feasibility, they were now posing for pictures before the Godavari River waters gushing out of it, benefiting from the very project they once tried to stall

Hyderabad: Former Minister and senior MLA T Harish Rao called out the Congress’s hypocrisy over the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project (SRLIP). He pointed out that while Congress leaders had earlier opposed the project, filed court cases, and questioned its feasibility, they were now posing for pictures before the Godavari River waters gushing out of it, benefiting from the very project they once tried to stall.

In a statement, Harish Rao credited former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao for his foresight in designing and executing the SRLIP, which has become a lifeline for farmers in Telangana. He said the Congress never protected Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna waters. Due to their incompetence, Andhra Pradesh has been diverting tens of thousands of cusecs every day.

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“The only solution was to lift Godavari River water, and Chandrashekhar Rao saw this coming long ago. Despite hurdles created by the BJP-led Centre and Congress, he completed 90 per cent of the project before demitting office,” he said.

The former Irrigation Minister recalled that Congress leaders had dismissed Sita Rama as a useless project and alleged that it would not provide water to even a single acre. They questioned the Detailed Project Report (DPR), opposed the clearances, and ridiculed the project.

“But today, the same Congress leaders are inaugurating the project and taking credit for it,” he said, referring to the Congress government switching on three pump houses simultaneously on August 15 last year.

Harish Rao emphasised that Sitarama is not just an irrigation project but a permanent solution for the water needs of Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Suryapet, and Mahabubabad districts.

“It will irrigate 6.8 lakh acres directly and benefit 10 lakh acres indirectly. The Congress ruled erstwhile Andhra Pradesh for 60 years, but failed to execute such a vision. The BRS government, in just ten years, made it a reality,” he asserted.

He stated that for Chandrashekhar Rao and the BRS, votes and power were temporary, but development of Telangana was a permanent goal.

“Kaleshwaram and Sitarama will stand as proof of Chandrashekhar Rao’s commitment to Telangana’s farmers for decades to come,” he added.