Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday sought the Centre’s intervention to ensure the state receives its due share of water from the Tungabhadra project, expressing concern over short supply affecting irrigation in border districts.
At a review meeting, Revanth Reddy said Telangana was entitled to 15.9 tmcft of water from the Tungabhadra dam, but only about 5–6 tmcft was currently flowing into the state. He said the reduced inflow had adversely impacted the Rajoli Banda Diversion Scheme (RDS), which provides irrigation to nearly 83,987 acres across 75 villages in Jogulamba Gadwal district.
The chief minister urged the Centre to strengthen the Tungabhadra Board under the Central Water Commission to ensure effective and equitable water sharing among Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Raising concerns over the safety and condition of the RDS dam, Revanth Reddy directed officials to take up urgent repair and strengthening works. Officials informed the meeting that the state government had already deposited Rs 59 crore for canal modernisation, but some works were yet to commence.
Engineers also told the chief minister that water flow through the RDS was being hindered due to heavy silt accumulation. It was decided to seek the Centre’s assistance to implement silt-removal measures recommended by an expert committee in 2004.
The chief minister said the state would continue to pursue the matter with the Centre to protect Telangana’s irrigation interests and ensure farmers are not affected due to inter-state water disputes.
