Congress government taking firm steps to claim Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna and Godavari waters: Deputy CM Bhatti

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka lashed out at the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders accusing them of spreading lies and indulging in mudslinging against the Congress government, which he said is correcting the mistakes made by the previous BRS government regarding water resources.

The Congress government is steadfast in its commitment to take concrete steps to claim Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna and Godavari waters, he asserted.

While Nagarjunasagar Left Canal can release 1 TMC of water per day, the then Andhra Pradesh government constructed projects upstream of Srisailam to draw 11 TMC per day, he said, alleging that the previous BRS government not only failed to stop them but also supported those efforts, causing serious hardships for Telangana people.

He was speaking to reporters after releasing water from the Palair balancing reservoir — in Kusumanchi mandal of Khammam district — into the Nagarjunasagar Left Canal to the ayacut under the Nagarjunasagar Project (NSP) Zone II.

He along with Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy performed puja before releasing water at the under tunnel (UT) of the main canal at Jujjularaopeta village near Kusumanchi. The UT was damaged due to the floods last year. Repairs on the UT were carried out on priority, making it fully operational, sources in Irrigation Department said.

Mr. Vikramarka said, the Congress government under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy is taking firm steps to claim Telangana’s rightful share over Krishna and Godavari rivers and complete the pending projects.

Due to the BRS government’s mistakes, especially the construction of the Rayalaseema Lift between Jurala and Srisailam, Khammam district — falling under the Zone II of the NSP Left Canal — is facing severe water shortages. Even the first zone in Nalgonda district is partially affected, the Deputy Chief Minister added.

He asserted that the Congress government laid focus on speedy completion of projects like Palamuru-Ranga Reddy, Nettempadu, Bheema, Koilsagar and the newly initiated Narayanpet-Kodangal lift irrigation scheme on the Krishna River in a planned manner.

Highlighting the Rythu Bharosa, waiver of farm loans, 24-hour free power supply to farm sector and other pro-farmer policies, he said the Congress government is determined to transform the State into granary and seed bank for the country.