BJP Telangana unit president N. Ramchander Rao accused the State government of adopting a ‘non-serious attitude’ towards the planning and implementation of irrigation projects in the Godavari basin and stressed the need to ensure optimal utilisation of the waters allocated to Telangana.

In a letter dated May 23, addressed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Mr. Rao said Telangana was entitled to about 968 TMC of assured Godavari waters, but continued to face underutilisation due to delays in the restoration and completion of key irrigation projects. He criticised the government for delays in rehabilitation measures related to the damaged barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

“The Congress government has not completed the tests recommended by NDSA in time, resulting in delays in restoring the barrages of the KLIP and affecting the utilisation of nearly 200 TMC of Godavari waters,” he said. He further flagged the alleged delays in the execution of the Sita Rama Lift Irrigation Project in Khammam.

He claimed that the delay was depriving Telangana of the utilisation of 67 TMC of allocated waters. He also alleged that the State government had failed to properly identify the command area, delaying approvals for the Sammakka-Sarakka Barrage. “The Central Water Commission (CWC) granted hydrological clearance for utilisation of 47 TMC,” Mr. Rao said, claiming that the Union government had cleared several irrigation projects in Telangana after the State’s formation.

“Projects accounting for nearly 360 TMC of Godavari waters have received approvals from the Centre,” the BJP leader said.

Regarding the proposed Godavari-Cauvery River interlinking project, he raised concerns over reported discussions on altering the alignment and source location from Icchampalli. “Any such changes could adversely affect Telangana’s interests and hamper proper utilisation of the State’s assured Godavari waters,” he added.