KTR Targets Telangana Congress Government Over Kaleshwaram and Irrigation Issues

BRS working president K. T. Rama Rao has launched a sharp attack on the Telangana Congress government, accusing it of failing to protect the state’s irrigation interests and neglecting the concerns of farmers. His remarks came as the Congress government completed 1,000 days in office, with Kaleshwaram emerging as one of the central issues in his criticism.

KTR alleged that the government was deliberately keeping the Kaleshwaram irrigation system underutilised despite the availability of water and the possibility of lifting it for agricultural needs. According to him, several retired and serving engineers have also suggested measures that could help make use of the available water.

The BRS leader argued that the government should focus on practical solutions instead of allowing political differences to affect irrigation operations. He claimed that engineers had suggested constructing a small cofferdam as one possible way to facilitate water lifting, but alleged that the government had not acted on the proposal.

KTR Questions Government Spending Priorities

KTR also questioned the government's spending priorities. Referring to expenditure on major public events, he claimed that ₹200 crore had been spent on the Miss World competition and another ₹100 crore on a football event involving Lionel Messi.

He argued that even a portion of such spending could instead have been directed towards irrigation infrastructure and measures benefiting farmers.

KTR further objected to what he described as pressure being placed on retired engineers who had written to the government about water-related concerns. He also alleged that Shyam Prasad Reddy, who had been associated with the Telangana movement, was treated disrespectfully.

The BRS leader said the Congress government should explain what it had achieved in the irrigation sector during its 1,000 days in power. He claimed that no new dam or barrage had been constructed during the period and also alleged that some previously built check dams were being demolished.

Concerns Over Irrigation Projects

KTR expanded his criticism beyond Kaleshwaram, citing several irrigation-related incidents that he said raised questions about the government's handling of major projects.

He referred to problems involving the Peddavagu project and alleged that it had suffered damage on two occasions. He also pointed to the collapse of the retaining wall at Sunkishala, claiming that the incident resulted in losses of around ₹100 crore.

The BRS leader also mentioned the SLBC tunnel accident, in which eight people lost their lives. He questioned the continuing situation surrounding the recovery of the bodies. In addition, he raised concerns about the Vattepally pump house and damage to check dams.

KTR used these examples to argue that the government should provide greater attention to the safety, maintenance and functioning of irrigation infrastructure across Telangana.

BJP Also Comes Under KTR's Criticism

KTR also questioned the BJP's response to irrigation-related problems in the state. He referred to the political attention surrounding the sinking of pillars at the Medigadda barrage and asked why, according to him, similar concerns involving other projects had not received the same level of attention.

He specifically questioned why central agencies had not intervened in connection with issues involving Peddavagu, Sunkishala, the SLBC tunnel and Vattepally.

His comments indicate that the BRS intends to use irrigation and farmer-related concerns as a major part of its political criticism of the Congress government.

Water-Sharing Issues Become Another Flashpoint

KTR also raised concerns about Telangana's share of river water. He accused the government of compromising on the state's interests in discussions involving the Godavari and Krishna rivers.

He referred to the Banakacharla and Pothireddypadu issues and questioned whether the government was doing enough to safeguard Telangana's water requirements. He demanded that the state's position be strongly presented during meetings of the Godavari River Management Board and Krishna River Management Board.

According to KTR, Telangana must clearly communicate its position on projects and water allocations instead of allowing issues concerning the state's irrigation interests to remain unresolved.

KTR Questions Project Decisions and Advisers

The BRS working president also claimed that proposals had emerged to cancel seven projects that had received approvals during the previous BRS administration. He questioned why the present government, according to him, had not taken a clear position on those proposals.

KTR additionally criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that his government was giving greater importance to Andhra Pradesh's interests than to Telangana's requirements. He particularly referred to the political relationship between Revanth Reddy and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu while making this allegation.

He also questioned the choice of advisers on irrigation matters, contrasting the role of experts such as R. Vidyasagar Rao during the previous BRS government with officials whom he claimed had earlier written against Telangana's irrigation projects.

Farmers at the Centre of Political Debate

KTR concluded by demanding that the Congress government clarify its approach to irrigation and take immediate steps in the interests of farmers.

The Kaleshwaram project, water-sharing disputes, damaged irrigation infrastructure and the future of major projects have once again become politically contentious issues in Telangana. KTR's latest criticism places these matters at the centre of the BRS's attack on the Congress government's record during its first 1,000 days.

While the allegations form part of the BRS leader's political criticism, they highlight the continuing importance of irrigation, water management and project implementation in Telangana's political debate, particularly because of their direct connection with farming and rural livelihoods.