Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, underlying the importance of Kaleswaram irrigation project to tap Godavari waters, directed officials on Friday to expedite works on the Medigadda Barrage while simultaneously taking up works on other related projects to ensure availability of Godavari water by the next Yasangi season.
Stating that he would go to New Delhi to get forest clearances if the need arises, the Chief Minister said: “Works on irrigation projects should be speeded up and proper strategies worked out and implemented to overcome obstacles. Though we have 954 tmc of water in Godavari, we are unable to utilise it due to lack of projects. We have to utilise the share of water given to us.
Works on lifting water should be completed before the completion of Medigadda barrage, and this should be completed by March, 2018. Take up construction works to supply water from Medigadda to Yellampally, Yellampally to Mid Manair and from Mid Manair to Mallanna Sagar.
Water should be diverted through Flood flow Canal to SRSP canal.” He also stressed on the need to take up desilting of canals expeditiously.
The Chief Minister was speaking at an extended review meeting on irrigation projects at Pragathi Bhavan here in which Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, Finance Minister Etela Rajender, Mission Bhagiratha Vice Chairman Vemula Prashanth Reddy, MDC Chairman Subhash Reddy, Whip Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, Chief Secretary S P Singh, Special Chief secretary S K Joshi and several senior irrigation and other officials participated.
The Chief Minister discussed the strategies to overcome hurdles and the time-frame for completion of the irrigation projects, besides reviewing the progress of Sri Ramadasu, Kaleswaram and Palamur project works. He also inquired about the works carried out on Nagarjunasagar canals and Kakatiya canals, and gave suggestions on completion of these projects and for supplying water to the agriculture sector.
“The meteorology department has predicted bountiful rain this monsoon too like last year, without any El Nino effect. We can expect good rains in the next four years too, and this augurs well for the State. We have to complete the projects expeditiously and supply water to the agriculture sector,” he said, and pointed out that construction of irrigation projects was top on the government’s agenda which was necessary for the farming community.
Stating that there would be no dearth of funds for the projects, he cited the example of China, where he said major lift irrigation projects were constructed and maintained well. “A team of engineers and officials led by the Irrigation Minister should visit China and study the projects,” Rao said.
