Irrigation projects fast-tracked

​Hyderabad: Irrigation played a vital role in the newly-carved Telangana State. Chief Minister and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) chief K Chandrashekar Rao took up irrigation projects that were kept pending for decades on a mission mode by re-engineering and redesigning the projects. During KCR's four-year rule and three-month dispensation, 2018 proved as a significant year for the TRS government. In the year 2018, the government succeeded in achieving the set targets for completion of irrigation schemes by getting rid of financial and legal hurdles.

The major attainment of the government was when it achieved all necessary permissions required for one of India's largest lift irrigation projects the Kaleshwaram. The project had got environmental and forest stage-1 and stage -2 clearances from Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the CWC approved the proposals to utilise 237 TMC of water. Financial feasibility report and economic benefits to the people under the project were also approved.

The government's unstinted efforts helped it in getting rid of all legal hurdles for Kaleshwaram. The Supreme Court, High Court and National Green Tribunal also struck down all petitions against the project filed by the Opposition. Palamuru - Rangareddy lift irrigation project was also freed from court interventions. The State government completed all the land requirement for all reservoirs mainly Mallannasagar and other 12 under Kaleshwaram on war footing through the new land acquirement act.

More than 50,000 acres land was acquired for the project this year alone and disbursed Rs 10,000 crore compensation to the displaced in just 10 months. Pump house works under Kaleshwaram were already reaching completion. The State registered a world record in the completion of the Asia 's biggest tunnel in a record time of nine months in Kaleshwaram.