Telangana to present irrigation priorities, digital monitoring, and water management strategies at the national irrigation ministers' conference
Hyderabad: Priorities in water governance, cost-effective irrigation expansion, and the completion of pending projects will be the focus of Telangana’s presentation at the two-day national conference of irrigation ministers beginning on February 18 at Udaipur, Rajasthan. This will be the first time the state will be represented by its irrigation minister at the conference.
When the first such conference was held in 2023 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao was holding the irrigation portfolio, and the state was represented by a chief engineer of the irrigation department.
As part of preparing for the conference, irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy held a meeting with senior department officials during which he reviewed Telangana’s presentation for the conference. The state, in addition to its plans on irrigation projects and priorities, will also highlight in its presentation, advancements in transparent governance, digital monitoring of irrigation projects, and innovative water management practices.
The conference, organised by the Union jal shakti ministry, will bring together irrigation ministers of all states, policymakers of the Centre, and experts to discuss key issues, including strengthening water governance, optimizing water storage infrastructure, and improving irrigation efficiency.
The minister said effective reservoir management, river interlinking, and sustainable groundwater recharge methods are essential to long-term water security, and directed officials to prepare a report on how Telangana has optimized its major reservoirs, including those used for lift irrigation schemes.
Uttam Kumar Reddy discussed the importance of demand management and water-use efficiency, particularly in agriculture. Officials were told to compile data on Telangana’s progress in implementing drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, which will be presented as a case study during the conference.
The minister said the state’s presentation should also highlight Telangana’s silt removal initiatives and sustainable river management practices, ensuring that the state’s experience contributes to the national discussion.
