Minister Releases Water From Nizamsagar Project
Kamareddy: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday lauded the century-old Nizamsagar project for its historic role in transforming agriculture in the region. Speaking at a ceremony in Kamareddy district, where water was released for rabi crop irrigation, the minister assured farmers that the project’s old glory would be restored through the adoption of global technology for desilting.
The ceremony, held at the Nizamsagar project site, included prayers to Goddess Gangamma and was attended by adviser to the government Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, MLAs P. Sudarshan Reddy and Thota Lakshmikant Rao, and district collector Ashish Sangwan.
The minister described Nizamsagar as an engineering marvel built under Nawab Ali Nawab Jung, underscoring its contribution to agriculture. He urged farmers to adopt the "on-off" irrigation system to enhance water efficiency. He also pledged to fast-track the completion of the Nagamadugu Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Lendi project, in partnership with Maharashtra.
Reddy criticised the BRS government for alleged mismanagement of irrigation projects. He claimed that despite spending Rs 1.81 lakh crore on irrigation, projects like Palamuru-Rangareddy and Kaleshwaram have failed to yield significant benefits. He pointed out structural failures and operational inefficiencies in the Kaleshwaram project, which was constructed at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore.
He also highlighted restrictions imposed by the National Water Tribunal, which prevent the optimal utilisation of water from three barrages under the Kaleshwaram project. According to Reddy, water from the project is being wasted in the sea instead of benefiting agricultural lands.
MLA Sudarshan Reddy requested funds for shutter installations on Nizamsagar’s main and distributary canals to improve water management. MLAs Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Thota Lakshmikant Rao praised the region’s agricultural output, noting that paddy yields in Nizamabad range from 40 to 50 bags per acre. Rao also stressed the need to complete the Nagamadugu and Lendi projects to support underdeveloped constituencies.
Despite challenges, Reddy noted that Telangana achieved a record paddy production of 153 lakh metric tonnes across 66.7 lakh acres this year. He assured farmers that the Rythu Bharosa scheme would be implemented after Sankranti and emphasised the importance of responsible water usage for sustainable agricultural growth.
Reiterating the government’s dedication to social justice, the minister assured that irrigation infrastructure, including historic projects like the SRSP and Nizamsagar, would be revitalised to meet the state’s growing agricultural demands. He stressed that every rupee spent is aimed at improving the lives of farmers and rural communities.