Khammam: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday announced the government’s commitment to provide irrigation facilities to every acre of cultivable land in the state by completing pending and new irrigation projects. He was speaking at a public meeting after laying the foundation stone for the ₹54.27 crore Manchukonda Lift Irrigation Scheme.
The scheme will irrigate 2,400 acres under 27 tanks in Raghunathapalem mandal. Highlighting the government's focus on cost-effective irrigation projects, Reddy criticised the previous BRS government for spending ₹1.81 lakh crore on major projects like Kaleshwaram, Palamuru-Ranga Reddy, and Sitarama, which he claimed created minimal ayacut. He alleged that despite spending ₹8,500 crore on the Sitarama Project, no additional land was irrigated.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka assured the public that the Manchukonda scheme would be completed by Ugadi. He emphasised the importance of creating an action plan for agriculture-based industries to complement irrigation efforts.
Minister for roads and buildings Komatireddy Venkat Reddy added that the government would expedite the completion of ongoing irrigation projects to ensure irrigation facilities for all cultivable land in the state.
