Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy made it clear that Telangana’s legitimate rights over Tungabhadra waters would not be compromised under any circumstances and the Congress government would pursue all technical, legal and administrative measures required to safeguard the State’s interests.

He also stressed the need for a stronger and more proactive role by the officials representing the State in the Tungabhadra Board in monitoring reservoir operations, canal management and infrastructure maintenance to ensure equitable distribution of water among the basin States.

At a review meeting, the Minister examined issues related to the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), operations of the Tungabhadra Dam, interstate water-sharing arrangements and long-pending modernisation requirements of the irrigation system. He called for expediting the modernisation of the scheme in line with expert committee recommendations and ensuring speedy implementation of Phase-II of the Tummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme.

The discussions focused on concerns over the condition of key irrigation infrastructure, growing pressure on Tungabhadra waters and the interests of farmers in the RDS ayacut spread across the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district.

A detailed representation was submitted to the Minister by farmer leaders led by former RDS Chairman G. Sitarami Reddy highlighting the poor condition of the RDS headworks, unauthorised diversions by neighbouring States, declining storage in the Tungabhadra reservoir due to siltation.

On the Tummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme, the Minister said land acquisition for the proposed Mallammakunta, Julakal and Vallur reservoirs should be taken up on priority. These reservoirs are being developed under Phase II of the project to create a gross storage capacity of about 2.12 TMC. The Mallammakunta reservoir would involve submergence of about 567 acres, while Julakal and Vallur reservoirs would affect approximately 382 acres and 2,216 acres respectively.