BRS focussed on Kaleshwaram and ignored all other projects: CM Revanth Reddy

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said the Godavari water issue had been given a political colour and asserted that baseless allegations and misinformation would not serve any purpose when the government’s focus was on making North Telangana agriculturally prosperous.

Speaking at a review meeting on the Devadula Project, the Chief Minister said that if projects such as Pranahita, SRSP and Devadula had been completed with commitment over the past decade, Telangana could have effectively utilised its 967 TMC water share and even demanded a share in flood waters. There was scope to divert Godavari river waters to the Krishna basin, but except for Kaleshwaram, other Godavari-based projects were ignored.

He said Devadula was started in 2001 but remains incomplete even today but the present government was determined to complete it in two years despite severe financial constraints. Funds would be sanctioned soon for Devadula, whose cost had escalated from ₹6,000 crore to ₹18,500 crore.

He directed officials to complete repairs to the Devadula Project pumps within a month and also instructed that a special meeting involving MLAs and senior officials be held during the Assembly session to exclusively review Devadula-related issues. He also directed officials to submit a detailed report on a proposed plan to supply water from Ramappa Cheruvu to Jampanna Vagu.

The CM assured that all projects on the Godavari from Tummidi Hatti to Bhadrachalam would be completed. He also noted that despite not lifting even a drop of water from the Kaleshwaram Project for two years, Telangana had emerged as number one in paddy production, exposing what he termed as the ‘illusions’ created by the previous government. The CM announced a series of time-bound decisions to expedite irrigation projects, stating that ₹600 crore would be sanctioned for land acquisition before June 2.

Clarifying that his government was not indulging in criticism over why structures like Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla were built, Mr. Reddy asserted that the Kaleshwaram project would not be allowed to become defunct. “It is not anyone’s private property but public money. We will restore it to use while ensuring there is no future damage,” he said, adding that agencies were studying sub-surface changes to take all necessary precaution.

Dismissing allegations that Telangana was diverting water to neighbouring States, Mr. Revanth Reddy questioned whether any elected representative of Telangana would cooperate against the State’s interests. “Cheap allegations will not help. We have no ego issues and are open to suggestions,” he said.

In a lighter vein, he advised former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao to focus on his health, take up walking and yoga, read good books and listen to spiritual discourses, while urging him not to ‘spread negativity among the people’.