Hyderabad: Even after a decade of aggressive spending and political focus, Telangana’s irrigation push is yet to reach half its intended potential, leaving vast tracts of farmland still dependent on uncertain water sources.Despite successive govts prioritising the sector and spending around ₹2.65 lakh crore on irrigation projects, nearly 53 lakh acres remain outside the ayacut of various schemes. This accounts for about 50% of the state’s total irrigation potential of 1.27 crore acres. The scale of investment has been massive — with the Kaleshwaram project alone accounting for ₹69,966 crore, besides another ₹15,284 crore spent through the Telangana Water Resources Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. Over the past 10 years, both the BRS and Congress govts have focused heavily on irrigation, largely through lift irrigation schemes. The state is now also pushing to complete the long-pending Srisailam left bank canal, a project that has remained unfinished for nearly four decades. According to the Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook 2026, about 74 lakh acres are currently covered under irrigation ayacuts. Of the 73 projects taken up — 34 major and 39 medium — 42 have been completed, while work continues on 31 projects, including the Makthal-Kodangal-Narayanpet lift irrigation scheme, expected to irrigate 53,000 acres. The govt has prioritised ongoing works in phases. Projects nearing completion, such as Nilwai, Sriram Sagar Project stage II, Palemvagu and Sadarmatt barrage, were taken up first, with some already inaugurated. Those at around 75% completion, including Chinna Kaleshwaram, Modikunta Vagu, Devadula, Sita Rama and Koilsagar, form the next priority. Key projects like Palamuru-Rangareddy continue to receive focus, alongside modernisation works at Nizam Sagar and Nagarjuna Sagar. Officials say land acquisition remains a major bottleneck, involving significant costs and rehabilitation challenges. “Relief and rehabilitation of 147 villages for 15 irrigation projects is going on. Of the Rs 3,900 crore required, the state govt spent about Rs 2,750 crore till Dec 2025,” the govt said. Even as work progresses, bridging the gap between investment and actual irrigation coverage remains the state’s biggest challenge.
