Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao said that his Government was committed to solve the problem of irrigation and drinking water in the parched districts of Mehbubnagar, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts by utilising the rightful share of waters of river Krishna.
Speaking after laying foundation stone of Rs3,50,250-crore Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift Irrigation Scheme at Karivena village of Mehbubnagar district on Thursday, he said, “We are taking measures to wash the feet of Mahbubnagar district with the waters of Krishna.”
He unveiled a pylon as a mark of launching of works on the much awaited lift irrigation scheme which will bring 90 tmc ft of water from Srisailam reservoir to irrigation one million acres of land in three districts and provide drinking water to Hyderabad city. Using the pump stations at various places the water will be lifted to the height of 425 meters to irrigate the upland areas of Telangana.
The topography of Telangana, which was on a higher plane, was cited as a reason by successive Governments over the last several decades in their inability to irrigate Telangana region by utilising the waters of Godavari and Krishna.
The Telangana Cabinet approved two massive lift irrigation projects, the other being Dindi project to which KCR will lay the foundation stone on Friday. The State Government issued the orders approving the Rs6,190-crore project.
KCR rejected the charges of the Opposition that Telangana’s projects were in violation of the water sharing agreement with the other States. “We have a right over these waters and utilising 100 tmc ft of water from our share”, he said.
Did Andhra Government inform the upper riparian States before launching the Pattiseema project which seeks to divert the waters of river Godavari to Krishna delta, he asked.
KCR said the project will be a big boon for Mahbubnagar, which is the worst affected by the migration of labor and the Nalgonda district which was affected by the high content of fluoride in the ground water.
“Only three hamlets will be submerged by this project and we will ensure that the displaced families get their compensation before the work on the project starts,” he said. He promised lands, houses and job to one member of every family.