Rs 11,000 cr extra needed for projects, says Uttam

Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Wednesday that the department will seek an additional `11,000 crore this year to expedite the completion of ongoing projects, to bring more areas under irrigation. He cited the need for additional funds as over two-thirds of the current allocation were required to service debts and pay salaries. 

During a review meeting with senior irrigation department officials at Jalasoudha, the department's headquarters, the minister outlined the state government's plans to complete ongoing projects within a year, targeting irrigation for approximately six lakh acres. Regarding budgetary concerns, Reddy stated that of the `28,000 crore allocated to the department, `18,000 crore was needed to pay interest on loans taken by the previous BRS government, while `2,000 crore was required for employee salaries and pensions.

"We will be requesting the Chief Minister and the finance department to increase the department budget by another `11,000 crore to speedily complete some ongoing projects and expand the irrigated area in the state," Uttam Kumar Reddy said. Projects have been categorised into A, B, and C classes. Category A includes projects nearing



completion that can be operational quickly with an investment of Rs 240.66 crore, enabling irrigation facilities for 47,882 acres. Categories B and C comprise projects that will take longer to complete. When finished, the ongoing projects are expected to irrigate an additional 5,84,770 acres. 

The irrigation minister also reviewed the progress of various projects, including the Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme, Koilsagar, Rajolibanda, Dindi, SLBC, Bima, Chinna Kaleshwaram, Nilwai and Mattadivagu. He received updates from department engineers on these projects. Officials estimated that around `8,000 crore would be required to complete these projects, prompting the request for an increased budget allocation.

Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy will meet officials from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) in New Delhi on July 20 to discuss the safety and protection of the Kaleshwaram project barrages on the Godavari River. The Telangana government has been awaiting the NDSA's final report on measures to ensure the safety of the Sundilla, Annaram, and Medigadda barrages, following issues that emerged in October last year.