Niranjan Reddy challenges Congress to lift Srisailam water for PRLIS

BRS leader S Niranjan Reddy challenged the Congress government to lift available water from Srisailam and address farmers’ concerns under PRLIS. He cited earlier interlinking works, questioned delays and tender cancellations, and demanded action on stalled project works.

Hyderabad: BRS leader and former Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy accepted Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao’s challenge, asking the State government to immediately release funds. He challenged the ruling Congress to lift available water from the Srisailam reservoir and address farmers’ problems under the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS).

In a statement, Niranjan Reddy said the flow of water from Narlapur reservoir to Yellur reservoir was made possible by decisions taken during the previous BRS government. He said the outlet inaugurated by Jupally Krishna Rao was constructed at his request to the then Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao.

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He stated that interlinking Narlapur with Yellur, Yedula with Buddaram and Vattem reservoir with the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme canal was intended to overcome the limitations of canals built with inadequate carrying capacity and ensure water supply to farmers.

Pointing out that water was still available in the Srisailam reservoir, the former Minister challenged the government to remove the earth obstructing Package-3 and allow water to flow. He said the existing pumps could be operated, though running all 10 pumps would pose difficulties. He said pumps at Yedula and Vattem were ready and water could be taken up to Karivena reservoir.

“Each reservoir could store five TMCft, while the remaining works could be completed next year,” he added.

Questioning the government’s handling of the project, Niranjan Reddy asked why PRLIS works had remained stalled for three years, why tenders for canals awarded during the BRS regime were cancelled and why fresh tenders had not been called. He also questioned the appointment of officials who had allegedly worked against Telangana irrigation projects as advisers to the State.