Revanth Reddy cites fund crunch in completing irrigation projects

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy admitted that fund shortage and debt burden are delaying irrigation projects in Telangana. After inspecting the Devadula project, he assured completion within two years and promised repairs to damaged barrages

Hyderabad: Admitting that there was negligence in completing irrigation projects in the Telangana region during united Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said a dearth of funds was a major challenge for his government to complete the pending projects now.

“Even for taking up land acquisition exercises and fund allocation, the State government has to scout for different avenues to raise funds,” he said. Due to the debt burden, there was a severe fund shortage to complete the pending 20 to 30 per cent irrigation projects in the State, he admitted.

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“In the next two years, all the pending irrigation projects will be completed,” Revanth Reddy assured after inspecting the Devadula project works on Sunday. The State government would decide at the earliest on releasing funds for land acquisition and operation and maintenance works of the Devadula project.

The project was commenced in 2001 at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore and the revised estimates were pegged at Rs 13,500 crore. Even after spending Rs 14,500 crore, officials now say that unless the estimates are increased to Rs 18,500 crore, the project will not be completed, he said.

The Chief Minister wanted the opposition parties to refrain from misleading the people with baseless allegations that the State government was facilitating the diversion of Godavari River and Krishna River waters to the neighbouring State.

“Let us have a debate on Godavari water sharing and disputes in the Assembly during the Budget session,” he said.

The Chief Minister further said dialogue was crucial in addressing critical issues. The State government does not have any reservations in holding discussions with the neighbouring State over river water shares and in addressing long-pending disputes, he stated.

The Chief Minister assured that Medigadda barrage, Sundilla barrage and Annaram barrage, which were taken up by investing large public funds, would not be left to ruin. Efforts were being made to ensure optimum use of the projects and avoid any untoward incidents in future, he said.

“Repairs will be taken up at the three barrages. The pillars have sunk at the surface and there is a need to analyse the status beneath the surface. Already, discussions are on with technical experts and different agencies have been involved in the exercise,” Revanth Reddy said.

Earlier, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the State government would take all measures to complete the Devadula project by November-December 2027. “The Chief Minister announced that, on a par with the Devadula project, additional funds will be allocated before June 2 this year for completing land acquisition for all pending irrigation projects in the State,” the Minister stressed.