Congress failures aggravated Telangana water crisis: Harish Rao

Stating that Telangana, once a model for groundwater conservation under the BRS government, was now facing a severe water crisis, BRS leader and former Minister T Harish Rao on Saturday criticised the Congress government for its failures in managing the precious water resources. He attributed the water crisis that was adding to the challenges faced by the people, especially farmers, solely to the mishandling by the government.

He recalled that under the leadership of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, Telangana saw a remarkable increase in groundwater levels from 2013 to 2023, with the creation of over 27,000 water bodies and the restoration of 15 lakh acres of farmland. But the Congress administration had failed to sustain the momentum, resulting in a drastic decline in groundwater levels and the drying up of major reservoirs.

The situation was particularly dire in areas like Yadadri Bhongir, Ranga Reddy,



Mahbubnagar, and Medak, where groundwater levels have dropped significantly. The Godavari River, especially the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project stretch spanning 120 kilometres, was almost dry.

He said the Congress government’s inability to address these issues has led to a growing water crisis, forcing farmers to rely on groundwater and increasing their financial burden. The State government’s priority is now to ensure the supply of safe drinking water, but the lack of effective measures has only added to the problem.

Harish Rao emphasised the need for an immediate action plan to prevent further deterioration and called for the Congress government to take responsibility for its failures. He stressed that only through persistent struggles and effective policies, the BRS could help the State overcome its water crisis and for the Congress government to adopt the same to ensure a sustainable future for its people.