Harish Rao Demands Immediate Operation of Kaleshwaram Pumps at Kannepalli

In Hyderabad, BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao written to Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, demanding that the government immediately switch on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme's pumps at Kannepalli. The former minister urged the state to start pumping water to fill interconnected reservoirs and safeguard farmers' interests during the ongoing Vaanakalam (Kharif) crop season.

Harish Rao noted that farmers were facing significant stress due to inadequate rainfall attributed to El Nino, combined with delays in filling major reservoirs. He warned that these delays were harming the progress of crop cultivation and appealed to the government to put aside politics and utilise the available water for irrigation without further delay.

Detailing current reservoir levels, Harish Rao highlighted that the Mid Manair reservoir, a key component of the Kaleshwaram project, currently holds around 22 TMCft against its full capacity of 27 TMCft. With expected inflows from rainfall in upper reaches, he called on the government to utilise the available storage and initiate water pumping directly from Mid Manair.

He specifically requested the immediate filling of the Annapurna (Ananthagiri), Ranganayaka Sagar, Mallanna Sagar, Kondapochamma Sagar, and Nrusimha (Baswapur) reservoirs, along with their connected tanks and check dams. Taking these steps, he stated, would help supply essential irrigation water to nearly four lakh acres under the project.

Harish Rao also urged the state to pump water from Mid Manair to the Lower Manair Dam (LMD), which currently holds about 6.9 TMCft out of its 24 TMCft capacity. He noted that filling the LMD is critical to meeting the irrigation requirements under SRSP Stage-II.

Recalling that nearly four lakh acres under the upper reservoirs were successfully cultivated during the previous Yasangi (Rabi) season, Harish Rao urged the government to secure water for both the current Kharif and the upcoming Yasangi season. He insisted that every drop of floodwater from the Godavari river should be harvested promptly to ease the distress among farmers.