Mahabubnagar, May 30 (RAHNUMA): Signalling a major push to complete long-pending irrigation projects in the drought-prone Palamuru region, Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N.Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress government has placed the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district at the centre of its irrigation agenda.
He stated that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will undertake a comprehensive two-day review of major projects in the district on June 4 and 5.
Announcing the visit, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government was ready to release “whatever funds are required” to fast-track pending works, clear land acquisition hurdles and complete key projects such as Palamuru-Rangareddy, Nettempadu, Koilsagar and Bheema.
He asserted that, unlike the previous regime which left several projects incomplete despite a decade in power, the Congress government was determined to transform Palamuru into a fully irrigated and agriculturally prosperous region during its tenure.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Ajilapur Lift Irrigation Scheme in Devarakadra mandal on Saturday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the State government was committed to completing all pending irrigation projects in the region.
The Chief Minister’s upcoming visit would cover major irrigation projects, including Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Scheme, Koilsagar Project, Bheema Lift Irrigation Scheme and Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme, he said.
The Minister alleged that several irrigation projects in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district remained incomplete during the previous BRS government despite repeated promises.
He claimed that adequate priority was not given to projects in the Palamuru region compared to the Kaleshwaram and that several lift irrigation schemes continued to remain pending for nearly a decade.
Rejecting claims that the Palamuru-Rangareddy project was nearly complete before the change of government, Uttam Kumar Reddy said not a single acre had received irrigation benefits under the project when the Congress government assumed office. He maintained that work on the project had gathered momentum after the present government.He said the Chief Minister’s tour would provide a major boost to irrigation development and help transform the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district into a fertile agricultural region.
The Minister said the Ajilapur Lift Irrigation Scheme, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 32 crore, would provide irrigation support to about 1,400 acres in Ajilapur, Gaddagudem and Venkatayapalli villages. The scheme will draw water from the Koilsagar Balancing Reservoir and utilise nearly 65 MCFT of water for irrigation.
Uttam Kumar Reddy congratulated Devarakadra MLA G. Madhusudhan Reddy for his efforts in securing the project and said it would bring substantial benefits.
Earlier, Uttam Kumar Reddy also reviewed paddy procurement operations in the district and held discussions with district collectors, public representatives and officials on measures to ensure smooth procurement of farmers’ produce.
Ministers Jupalli krishna Rao and Vakiti Srihari and Civil Supplies Commissioner, Stephen Ravindra, collectors, MLAs and MLCs from the districts were among those who took part in the review.
