CityLightBuzz: Former Minister and Karimnagar MLA Gangula Kamalakar, Huzurabad MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy, and BRS Assembly Whip K.P. Vivekanand addressed a press conference, expressing concern over the worsening irrigation and drinking water situation in North Telangana. They urged the Telangana Government to immediately operate the Kannepalli Pump House to prevent crop losses and an impending drinking water crisis. Gangula Kamalakar said the press conference was held to voice the hardships and concerns of the people who elected them.
He alleged that crops across North Telangana are drying up and warned that drinking water shortages are likely to intensify. Questioning the government’s approach, he asked why the ministerial committee had not visited Karimnagar to assess the situation on the ground.
He claimed to have complete knowledge of the Medigadda Barrage and stated that nearly 9 TMC of water is flowing downstream every day. According to him, water could be lifted to the Annaram Barrage by switching on the pumps at Kannepalli.
He said farmers in the Mid Manair command area are facing severe distress as crops continue to dry up. He accused the state government of acting with unnecessary hesitation and alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is being misled by incorrect advice.
Gangula Kamalakar further stated that if anything were to happen to the Annaram Barrage after operating the pumps, the BRS would take responsibility. He appealed to the government to stop delaying the decision and immediately activate the Kannepalli Pump House, claiming sufficient water is available there.
Padi Kaushik Reddy’s Remarks
MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy said the press conference was conducted out of concern for farmers, not politics.
He demanded that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy explain why water is not being lifted through the Kannepalli Pump House despite the hardships being faced by farmers in the Huzurabad constituency.
He alleged that the Congress had earlier criticized the Kaleshwaram Project but is now failing to utilize its infrastructure for the benefit of farmers. He said this is not the time for political differences when farmers are suffering.
He questioned why irrigation water is not being supplied through the Kannepalli Pump House and alleged that denying water would also deprive farmers of government assurances and bonuses.
Describing the Kaleshwaram Project as the vision of former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), he said the project was built for the welfare of farmers.
Kaushik Reddy accused the Chief Minister of neglecting farmers and challenged both Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy.
He declared that if any damage occurs to the Annaram or Sundilla Barrages after lifting water, all 28 BRS MLAs are prepared to take responsibility and even resign from their Assembly memberships.
He warned that failure to operate the Kannepalli Pump House could also create a serious drinking water crisis.
He further alleged that maize farmers have not received proper remuneration, that many farmers were paid only 65–70% of the promised amount, and demanded an explanation regarding the remaining payments and alleged commission irregularities.
K.P. Vivekanand’s Remarks
BRS Assembly Whip K.P. Vivekanand said the El Niño conditions are creating severe challenges for both irrigation and drinking water across Telangana. He warned that Hyderabad could also face a drinking water shortage if immediate action is not taken.
He alleged that the Congress had branded the Kaleshwaram Project a failure during elections but is now depending on it to meet the state’s water requirements.
According to him, Telangana became agriculturally prosperous because of the Kaleshwaram Project, yet the present government is prioritizing politics over farmers’ interests.
He claimed that lakhs of cusecs of water are going to waste at Medigadda while the government is refusing to activate the Kannepalli pumps.
He criticized the government for citing NDSA recommendations as the reason for not operating the pumps and questioned why the Chief Minister had not written to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) seeking permission or clarification, despite writing several letters to the Central Government on other issues such as the Hyderabad Metro.
Vivekanand welcomed the appointment of retired Army engineering expert Parikshit as an advisor for the restoration of the Kaleshwaram Project and the SLBC tunnel works. He said the government had indicated that the officer was brought in using the connections of Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy.
He stated that BRS expected the advisor to recommend emergency measures, including the construction of cofferdams and lifting water from Kannepalli during the current monsoon season. He alleged that the advisor had indeed recommended such measures, but the government ignored the suggestions due to political hostility toward KCR.
He further alleged that irrigation officials informed them the advisor had reduced his active involvement after observing the government’s attitude.
Vivekanand argued that drought is also a disaster and deserves the same urgency as floods. He reiterated that BRS had earlier requested the government to hand over the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages to the party for three months, claiming they could have already supplied water to Yellampalli.
He accused the government of allowing hundreds of TMCs of water to go to waste during the El Niño conditions and asserted that if Telangana faces irrigation and drinking water shortages due to inadequate rainfall, the responsibility would rest entirely with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
He concluded by making strong political criticism of the Chief Minister and the government’s handling of the state’s water resources.
The press conference was also attended by BRS MLAs Mutha Gopal and Bandari Lakshma Reddy.
