Uttam Kumar Reddy pushes for higher efficiency in irrigation department, SLBC project prioritisation

Hyderabad, December 31: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has called on officials of the irrigation department to prioritize achieving greater ayacut with minimal expenditure while ensuring accountability.

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Addressing a review meeting at Jala Soudha on irrigation projects in the Nalgonda Parliamentary constituency on Tuesday, he warned of stringent action against inefficiency, stating that negligent officials would face suspension rather than transfers.

The meeting was attended by Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkatreddy, MLAs Balu Naik Nenavath (Devarakonda), Mandula Samel (Thungathuri), Bathula Laxma Reddy (Miryalaguda), Principal Secretary Irrigation Rahul Bojja, Special Secretary Prashant Patil, ENC Anil Kumar, and other senior officials. The ministers reviewed ongoing and proposed projects, emphasizing timely completion and effective management.

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Uttam Kumar Reddy stressed the importance of responsibility among employees, urging them to reside at their designated postings and work hard so that the government achieves its goals. Based on complaints from CE Nalgonda and local MLA, Executive Engineer Lakshman was suspended, setting an example of zero tolerance towards neglect and inefficiency. He warned officials that negligence would lead to suspensions and that all employees should perform with commitment and integrity.

He directed officials to stay in districts where projects are being implemented, conduct live on-ground reviews, and adhere to tight schedules with result-oriented tasks.

Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted the challenges inherited from the previous government, describing the irrigation sector as being in a “chaotic state” due to a lack of proper planning, manpower, infrastructure, and organizational structure. He revealed that 700 Assistant Executive Engineers (AEEs), including graduates from premier institutions like IITs and IIITs, were recruited to address these gaps. Additionally, 1,800 Laskar staff were hired through outsourcing, and the Telangana State Public Service Commission was directed to fill more vacancies.

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He emphasized the importance of young talent in streamlining irrigation projects and strengthening the sector.

The minister criticized the previous administration for spending Rs 1.81 lakh crore on irrigation projects without achieving significant ayacut expansion. High-cost short-term loans were taken, leaving a massive financial burden on the state. He pointed out that half of the annual irrigation budget – Rs 11,000 crore out of Rs 22,000 crore – is used for loan repayments.

Despite spending Rs 27,000 crore on the Palamuru Rangareddy Project and Rs 9,000 crore on the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, not a single acre received irrigation water. Similarly, long pending projects like Devadula, Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu, Bhima, Koyal Sagar, SLBC, and Dindi remained incomplete. Kaleshwaram Project, despite consuming nearly Rs 1 lakh crore, delivered minimal ayacut and faced structural issues like the collapse of barrages.

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The Congress government has prioritized completing pending projects and initiating new ones to maximize irrigation benefits. For instance, the process of allocating 67 TMC of Godavari River water for the Sitharama Lift Irrigation Project has been hastened up. Further, efforts are underway to secure 44 TMCs for the Sammaka Sarakka project. Talks with Chhattisgarh for an NOC on the Sammaka Sarakka project are in progress, with secretary-level discussions already held.

The government is also contesting the unfair Krishna River water allocation of 299 TMC to Telangana and 512 TMC to Andhra Pradesh. Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated the Congress government’s commitment to protecting Telangana’s rights over Krishna and Godavari waters.

Minister Komatireddy Venkatreddy described the SLBC (Srisailam Left Bank Canal) project as transformative, capable of irrigating 4 lakh acres. He termed it a “world wonder” due to its scale, with its 44-km tunnel designed to transfer 30 TMC of water annually. Of this, 9.559 km of tunnel boring remains. The executing agency, JP Associates, along with its US-based partners, has expedited the process by importing critical components.

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Komatireddy urged officials to avoid superficial work and meet tight deadlines to prevent cost escalations. Highlighting the region’s agricultural needs, he called SLBC a long-cherished dream that could attract global attention upon completion.

Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that pending transfers and promotions in the irrigation department, unresolved for the past decade, would be completed soon. A committee comprising Advisor Adiyanath Das, Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, Special Secretary Prashant Patil, and Engineer-in-Chief Anil Kumar has been formed to complete the process of transfers and promotions in January 2025.

He stressed that while new projects are a priority, the maintenance of existing ones is equally critical. Officials were instructed to avoid minor delays, which could increase costs and halt progress.

Summarising the year’s progress, Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that 2024 had been a successful year for the irrigation sector and expressed hopes for further achievements in 2025. Extending New Year greetings, he reiterated the Congress government’s commitment to systematic and efficient irrigation reforms. (Maxim News)

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