Palamuru, Other Project Completion a Priority: Uttam

Hyderabad:The state government is committed to completion of the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) on a priority while also focusing on the speedy completion of the Gattu, Nettempadu, and Koilsagar projects, irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at the Nagarkurnool district collectorate along with tourism minister Jupally Krishna Rao, following their visit to the PRLIS' Narlapur pump house and reservoir, Uttam Reddy inspected ongoing work at the Gattu and Shankara Samudram reservoirs and held a meeting with Uddhandapur project oustees. Vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission, G. Chinna Reddy, accompanied the ministers.

Uttam Reddy mentioned that the government has already released Rs 46 crore for the relief and rehabilitation of Uddhandapur project oustees and will establish a special committee to address any concerns they may have. "We are committed to ensuring justice for all those who are giving up their land. The team's visit was to assess the ground conditions," he said.

He further criticised the previous BRS government for spending over Rs 27,500 crore on PRLIS without providing irrigation to even a single acre. The minister promised that his government would ensure irrigation for 12 lakh acres in the former unified Mahbubnagar district, with PRLIS to be completed within three years. He also mentioned a proposal to increase the capacity of the Gattu reservoir from 10 TMC ft to 20 TMC ft, currently under government consideration.

Tourism minister Jupally Krishna Rao accused the previous BRS government of misleading the public about PRLIS progress. "A former BRS minister claimed 90 per cent of PRLIS was completed, which is a lie. Chandrashekar Rao said he would sit at the site to ensure its completion, yet less than 20 per cent of the work has been done. Before the elections, they rushed to make it appear as if progress had been made by switching on a pump," Jupally said.

He concluded by urging BRS leaders to reflect on why the people of Palamuru rejected their party, awarding them only two out of 14 seats. "Completing PRLIS will require significant additional funds, but we are confident we can achieve this according to plan," Jupally said.