Telangana to Expand Irrigation to 30 Lakh Acres in Five Years
The Telangana government has announced plans to expand irrigation coverage by an additional 30 lakh acres over the next five years. This will be achieved by modernizing key historic irrigation projects, including the Sriramsagar Project (SRSP) and Nizam Sagar. Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies, Capt. N Uttam Kumar Reddy, shared this update during his visit to these projects on Friday.
During his visit to the SRSP in Mendora Mandal, Nizamabad district, the Minister reviewed the project’s current performance. Officials informed him that siltation had reduced the reservoir’s storage capacity from its original 112 TMC to 80 TMC. To address this issue, the Minister instructed the use of advanced global desilting technologies to restore the reservoir’s capacity.
The SRSP, which irrigates 12.5 lakh acres annually across ten districts during both kharif and rabi seasons, has been a lifeline for farmers. However, the Minister stressed the importance of improving lift irrigation schemes and ensuring fair water distribution, especially to tail-end areas. He also warned officials of strict action, including suspensions, if negligence in water delivery systems was detected.
At the Nizam Sagar project in Kamareddy district, the Minister participated in a ceremonial release of water for Rabi crop irrigation. The event included prayers to Goddess Gangamma. He encouraged farmers to adopt an “on-off” irrigation system to use water more efficiently.
The Minister also assured farmers that the government is working to fast-track the completion of the Nagamadugu Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Lendi project in collaboration with Maharashtra. These initiatives aim to further enhance irrigation facilities and support agricultural growth in the state.
