Meagre allocations for irrigation may leave priority projects in quandary

Completion of massive undertakings like Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project may prove to be a daunting task

Hyderabad: The State government’s tall claims over expansion of irrigation support, but without adequate budgetary allocations, may leave farmers in the State in turbulent waters. The proposed allocation of Rs 23,373 crore for the irrigation sector in the 2025-26 Budget marked a mere 4.8% increase from the Rs 22,285 crore allocated in the previous year.

Of the Rs 23,373 crore, about Rs 11,800 crore is earmarked for crucial project works, leaving a considerable gap in funding for completion of massive undertakings like the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project. This project, envisioned to irrigate 3.28 lakh acres of new ayacut and stabilise an additional 3.45 lakh acres of old ayacut, has already consumed over Rs 8,000 crore. Revised estimates suggest that an additional Rs 11,800 crore is required for its completion.

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Originally targeted for completion in August 2024, its timeline has been now extended to March 2026. Its completion even as per revised schedule will be a daunting task. The entire capital expenditure proposed for the sector would not be sufficient even for the single priority project.

The situation raises doubts among the public in beneficiary districts about the feasibility of meeting this financial demand without derailing other critical irrigation schemes.

Moreover, the State government’s aim to achieve its stated goal of bringing maximum agricultural land under cultivation with minimal expenditure appears increasingly precarious.

Amid this backdrop, the State government has committed to completing six irrigation projects on priority within one year. Projects such as Nilwai Project (Mancherial), Primpri Lift Irrigation Scheme (Nirmal), Palemvagu Project (Jayashankar-Bhupalpally), Matthadivagu Project (Adilabad), SRSP Stage-2 (Warangal) and Sadarmat Project (Nirmal) were part of the priority list.

Additionally, the J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme is set for completion by March 2026. While these timelines reflect the State’s urgency, concerns remain regarding resource mobilisation and the ability to balance the completion of these projects with the meagre financial allocations.

With Rs 10,820 crore budgeted as capital investment and Rs 11,500 crore allocated for establishment costs in the 2024-25 budget, the government could hardly make any impact felt in the sector. The government, which had kept the KLIS barrages idle on the pretext of structural issues for nearly three crop seasons, may not be able to venture to take up rehabilitation works in near future.