CityLightBuzz: Hyderabad, August 2026: Former Telangana Minister and BRS leader T. Jagadish Reddy alleged that the Congress government in Telangana, in coordination with the BJP, was misleading the people over irrigation and water management issues in the state.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Jagadish Reddy criticised the government over the handling of the Kaleshwaram project, particularly the Sundilla and Annaram barrages. He alleged that the government was using technical reports and commissions as excuses while failing to provide irrigation water to farmers. Jagadish Reddy claimed that the Kannepalli pump house could have been operated independently of the Medigadda barrage and alleged that repeated requests to operate the pumps had been ignored.
He also raised concerns over the utilisation of Krishna river waters and alleged that Andhra Pradesh was drawing excessive water through the Pothireddypadu project. He demanded that Telangana protect its share of river waters and ensure adequate supplies for farmers.
The former minister claimed that sufficient water was available in Nagarjuna Sagar and demanded that irrigation water be released to farmers under the left canal system. He recalled that the previous BRS government had provided irrigation water even when reservoir levels were comparatively lower.
Jagadish Reddy further criticised the government’s response to the El Niño-related rainfall deficit, arguing that farmers should be given clear guidance on crop planning based on available water resources. He alleged that the government was reluctant to release irrigation water because of concerns over electricity costs, fertiliser requirements and procurement of crops.
He demanded that the government immediately operate the Kannepalli pumps, provide water to farmers under the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal and SLBC, and announce clear irrigation schedules and crop plans for farmers.
Jagadish Reddy also alleged that farmers in the Devarakonda region were being forced to protest due to the lack of irrigation water. He urged the government to reconsider its approach and utilise available water resources to support agriculture.
On the political front, he made several allegations against the Congress government and claimed that the BRS leadership would formulate a special action plan to take up the issues concerning farmers and the state’s water resources
