Senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao has raised concerns that the current administration’s approach to irrigation could impact the state’s standing. He specifically questioned the government’s decision to seek 45 tmcft of water for the Palamuru projects, suggesting that this move might be a strategic political choice rather than one purely driven by agricultural requirements.
The criticism comes amidst ongoing debates about irrigation policies, with the BRS government under K Chandrasekhar Rao having made significant strides in expanding and stabilizing agricultural land over the past decade. Between 2014 and 2023, the BRS government created 17 lakh acres of new ayacut and stabilized an additional 31.5 lakh acres of land.
On the other hand, a few intellectuals has offered a different perspective. Criticism had surfaced even earlier that KCR showed far greater urgency for Kaleshwaram than for Palamuru. After the formation of Telangana, KCR declared the Palamuru–Rangareddy project a top priority. However, critics say that over ten years, progress was limited to foundation stone-laying ceremonies and repeated redesigns, leading to delays.
They argue that had even half the funds spent on Kaleshwaram been allocated to Palamuru, districts like Mahabubnagar and Rangareddy would by now have turned fertile. There are also allegations that just ahead of elections, a single pump was switched on to create the impression that water had been delivered, misleading the public.
As the political landscape in Telangana continues to evolve, these accusations and counter-accusations serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding the state’s irrigation policies and the ongoing debates about their implementation.
