Minister Uttam Prepares For National Conference On Water Security

Hyderabad, February 15: Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy held a high-level meeting with senior officials at Jala Soudha on Saturday to review the state’s irrigation strategy ahead of the ‘2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025’, scheduled to be held in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on February 18-19.

Here To Join Us On WhatsApp

The meeting focused on Telangana’s priorities in water governance, cost-effective irrigation expansion, and the completion of pending projects, which will be presented at the national conference. 

The minister emphasised that the Congress government in Telangana is committed to achieving maximum ayacut expansion with minimal expenditure. He directed officials to prioritise projects that can be completed with the least investment while delivering the highest irrigation benefits. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that, unlike the previous government which spent heavily with limited results, the current administration aims to irrigate an additional 30 lakh acres by accelerating the completion of stalled and pending irrigation projects. 

Here To Join Us On WhatsApp

During the meeting, officials presented updates on major irrigation projects, including SLBC (Srisailam Left Bank Canal), Dindi, Palamuru-Rangareddy, Devadula, and several lift irrigation schemes. The minister instructed that strict timelines be set for these projects to ensure they are completed at the earliest, as they are crucial to improving water availability for farmers. He also stressed the need for better monitoring and accountability in irrigation works, warning that delays or inefficiencies would not be tolerated. 

The upcoming conference, organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, will bring together irrigation ministers of all states, policymakers of the Government of India, and experts to discuss key issues, including strengthening water governance, optimising water storage infrastructure, and improving irrigation efficiency. Uttam Kumar Reddy reviewed Telangana’s presentation for the conference, which will highlight the state’s advancements in transparent governance, digital monitoring of irrigation projects, and innovative water management practices. 

Here To Join Us On WhatsApp

A key focus of the discussions at today’s meeting was Telangana’s efforts in augmenting water storage. The minister noted that effective reservoir management, river interlinking, and sustainable groundwater recharge methods are essential to long-term water security. Officials were directed to prepare a report on how Telangana has optimised its major reservoirs, including those used for lift irrigation schemes. 

Uttam Kumar Reddy further discussed the importance of demand management and water-use efficiency, particularly in agriculture. He stressed the need for expanding micro-irrigation initiatives and promoting water budgeting techniques, ensuring that farmers adopt efficient irrigation practices to reduce water wastage. Officials were asked to compile data on Telangana’s progress in implementing drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, which will be presented as a case study during the conference. 

Here To Join Us On WhatsApp

In addition, the meeting focused on integrated river and coastal management, where officials reviewed Telangana’s strategies for floodplain management, conservation of river ecosystems, and sediment control in major reservoirs. The minister directed them to highlight Telangana’s silt removal initiatives and sustainable river management practices, ensuring that the state’s experience contributes to the national discussion. 

 As the conference approaches, Uttam Kumar Reddy has instructed the Irrigation Department to finalise Telangana’s presentation by incorporating data, visuals, and case studies to showcase the state’s irrigation successes. (Maxim News)

---

Next Story:

Now you can get the latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram every day. Click the link to subscribe.  Click to follow Indtoday’s Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News update