Hyderabad: The state govt has unveiled a broad push to revive stalled irrigation projects, restore reservoir capacity and secure its share of river waters—signalling a renewed focus on both infrastructure and long-term water security.With an allocation of ₹22,600 crore to the sector, the govt plans to take up the BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella project in the erstwhile Adilabad district, while accelerating large-scale desilting of major reservoirs to improve storage.Finance minister Bhatti Vikramarka said groundwork has already begun to revive the Pranahita-Chevella project, with works initiated at Tummidihatti on the Maharashtra border. The state will also hold consultations with Maharashtra, as the project involves submergence in the neighbouring region. Desilting has emerged as a key priority. “The previous BRS govt failed to take up desiltation works on time, leading to silt accumulation in many projects and a reduction in reservoir storage capacity. In accordance with the national desiltation guidelines of the Union ministry of jal shakti, and along with pilot projects already taken up under the revenue-generating model at Kadem, Lower Manair Dam, and Mid-Manair Dam, desilting works have begun in the Sriramsagar project, Priyadarshini Jurala, Musi, and Nagarjunasagar projects to restore lost storage capacity,” he said. LI schemes get thrustCompleting pending projects is another major thrust. Around 20 major and medium irrigation projects across the Krishna and Godavari basins are at various stages, including key lift irrigation schemes such as Palamuru-Rangareddy, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu and Devadula, among others. “Our govt inherited several pending projects from the past. Therefore, we are making efforts to complete ongoing and pending works,” Bhatti said. Reiterating the state’s stand on river waters, he added: “Our govt has fought effectively on every platform, the Supreme Court, tribunal, statutory bodies, and the govt of India, for Telangana’s rightful share in the waters of Krishna and Godavari.”
