I-Day Milestone at Khammam: Revanth Launches Sitarama Lift Irrigation Scheme

Pusugudem: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the Sita Rama lift irrigation scheme on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in Khammam district's irrigation infrastructure. It was launched at Pusugudem with the Chief Minister switching on the project's pumps, along with minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, to mark the operational commencement of the much-anticipated scheme which will provide irrigation to over 1.20 lakh acres in the district.

Addressing a press conference later, Revanth Reddy underscored his government's commitment to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Khammam. He acknowledged the challenges in securing adequate funds but assured that Khammam was prioritised over other districts, despite pressure from other regions for funding.

The Chief Minister said the pending projects in the fluoride-affected Nalgonda district would be completed. He credited Uttam Kumar Reddy and other key ministers for their relentless efforts in speeding up construction works and ensuring the scheme's completion.

Revanth Reddy accused former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, of prioritising personal gain over public welfare. He alleged that the previous government had escalated the project costs through re-designing, which ultimately led to mismanagement and delays; despite spending ₹7,500 crore on the Sita Rama project, it failed to provide irrigation to even one acre of land.

He questioned Harish Rao's recent criticisms of the Congress government and challenged him to explain why the Sitarama project was not completed during their decade-long rule.

Reddy slammed the BRS government for taking up irrigation projects primarily for commissions (kickbacks) from contractors. Braving the challenges, he said that the government had completed the Sita Rama project in six months. He said that he had personally met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Brijesh Kumar Commission to secure water allocations for Telangana from the Godavari river or the project.

Uttam Kumar Reddy provided a detailed account of the Congress government's efforts behind the Sitarama project. He explained how the government enhanced project estimations and worked relentlessly to complete the project.

The Chief Minister acknowledged agriculture minister Tummala Nageshwara Rao's contributions and said that Khammam would not require Krishna river water if Godavari water is adequately supplied.