Srinivas Goud accuses Centre of delaying PRLIS approval

Former Minister V Srinivas Goud accused the Centre of repeatedly returning the PRLIS DPR and alleged that the Andhra Pradesh government was influencing the Centre over the Banakacherla project. He demanded immediate reservoir filling and restoration of irrigation supplies

Hyderabad: Former Minister V Srinivas Goud accused the Centre of using flimsy excuses to return the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) for the third time, calling it an insult. He said the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh was influencing the Centre and pressuring Telangana in favour of the Banakacherla project proposal.

Speaking to the media, Srinivas Goud said the major hurdles to the project had been cleared by August 10, 2023, with only formal approval pending. He alleged that the process stalled after the elections. He pointed out that Telangana had a clear claim over 90 TMCft for the project. He cited the 45 TMCft allocation under the Bachawat Tribunal and another 45 TMCft, which was meant to compensate for losses in minor irrigation following the destruction of tanks after the Nizam era.

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Questioning the Centre’s stand, the former Minister said Telangana was willing to build the project with its own resources even if national project status was not granted. “If funds are not given, why should permissions also be denied?” he asked. He suspected that uncertainty over the project’s 90 TMCft water allocation was being used to delay approvals.

Srinivas Goud questioned the diversion of Krishna basin water towards the Pennar while Palamuru was facing irrigation shortages. He pointed out that the Kalwakurthy pumps were not being operated to their full capacity. He demanded that the State government immediately fill reservoirs from Narlapur to Karivena and restore irrigation supplies to farmers. Unless the government operates the pumps within a week, he vowed to stage a sit-in protest along with farmers at Narlapur.