Telangana sets new records in irrigation sector

As the prestigious Bhakta Ramadasu project in Khammam is all set to irrigate vast stretches of land, the buoyed Irrigation Department is all set to complete a slew of ongoing projects at a fast pace

​Hyderabad: The new State of Telangana which was formed two-and-a-half years ago has achieved another landmark milestone.

The State government, which could successfully pull out the state from power crisis in a record time, is also in the process of completing the works on Mission Bhagiratha aimed at supplying drinking water through pipes to every household, on a fast track.

The state government is also creating a record of sorts in completing the irrigation projects, which are very essential to the people, on schedule.

It was thought that soon after the formation of Telangana State, it might take three years to come out of the severe power crisis.

But, thanks to vision and efforts put up by the Chief Minister, the State could come out of the problem within nine months after formation of the State and the State is able to supply uninterrupted power supply since then.

The State government originally planned to supply drinking water to every household under Mission Bhagiratha before the next Assembly elections. But, the clear indications are that the works will be over by this December end itself, according to official sources.

The State government is expediting the irrigation works. Finding that there is a lot of delay taking place in the tender process, preparations of the designs and land acquisition, the State government has brought in several reforms in these areas. Laying of pipelines, construction of sub stations, approach channels and pump houses were taken up simultaneously.

Referring to the Bhakta Ramadasu project, the officials said the Telangana State Transco had planned to set up 7.83 kilometers HT power lines till the Kusumanchi Power House and 132/11 KV Sub Station at the pump house within 100 days and executed accordingly.

Normally, for any lift irrigation scheme, it takes two years to complete the civil, mechanical, electrical, laying of pipelines etc. But due to the coordinated efforts by Irrigation, Revenue and Power departments and the working agency, these works on Bhakta Ramadasu project were completed at a fast phase.

There is irrigation facility in Khammam district drawing water from both Godavari and Krishna rivers. But some Mandals under Palair are facing water scarcity. Though there are crops all over the district, lands in these mandals turned into arid patches.

To facilitate water canals were also dug under SRSP stage-II. This is also the last Ayucut under SRSP. However, never water could be drawn through SRSP. Never the water flow crossed Warangal district boundaries.

Understanding the plight, the Chief Minister asked the officials to make plans for the supply of water to these mandals for irrigation. The officials surveyed the area and came out with Bhakta Ramadasu project proposals. It was proposed to lift water from Palair reservoir and pump in to SRSP canal. The Chief Minister has immediately given an administrative sanction and released the funds too.

The Chief Minister said he was happy that he was able to give the project to people in Palair earlier than expected as a thanksgiving for electing Tummala Nageswara Rao with landslide majority in the by-poll.

Similarly, the government would also complete all the irrigation projects on time in the State as a gift to the people of the State who gave a massive mandate to the TRS in the last elections, he said. “If one has commitment and dedication, projects can be completed on time,” Chandrashekar Rao said.

The officials said they had several schemes and projects to give water to one crore acres of land in the State. Besides completing the ongoing projects, the government has plans for many new irrigation projects and schemes.

The government has completed ongoing projects in Mahbubnagar district, which was known for frequent famine and migration. The region is now brimming with water.

The Irrigation department is in a celebration mood with Mahbubnagar getting water and with the Bhakta Ramadasu project’s early completion. Kalwakurthi, Nettampadu, Koyalsagar, Bhima projects in Mahbubnagar district have been completed and four-and-a-half lakhs of acres is brought under irrigation.

Yet another three-and-a-half lakhs acre will be added shortly. Medium irrigation projects in Mahbubnagar, Khammam, and Adilabad and Medak districts have also been completed. All this could bring an additional 11 lakh acres under irrigation.

Through Mission Kakatiya nearly 16, 000 tanks have been rejuvenated, enabling seven-and-half lakhs of acres under cultivation in Rabi season.

Special Chief Secretary (Irrigation) SK Joshi said the successful completion of these projects would give further boost to the other major irrigation projects like the Palamuru and Kaleshwaram Projects.