KT Rama Rao Sets September 14 Deadline for Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal Water

Addressing a farmers' protest in Miryalaguda on Thursday, Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president KT Rama Rao gave the Congress-led state government until September 14 to announce a definitive schedule for releasing water from the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal. He warned that if the government fails to issue a schedule ahead of Vinayaka Chavithi, he will lead a major padayatra from Kodad to Haliya alongside thousands of local farmers.

Rama Rao stated that the proposed demonstration draws inspiration from a similar march undertaken by BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao between Kodad and Haliya in 2003 during the Telangana statehood movement to fight for farmers' irrigation rights. He insisted that the state administration must formally specify both the timing and quantity of water to be discharged through the Left Canal.

Highlighting the current water reserves, Rama Rao pointed out that the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir currently holds approximately 180 TMCft of water. In addition, water levels at Srisailam stand at around 537 feet, with water flowing into Nagarjuna Sagar through hydel power generation. He argued that these storage levels are sufficient to supply irrigation for two consecutive crop seasons, yet the government has refused to release water to Left Canal ayacut farmers.

The BRS leader also directed criticism at Ministers N Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, claiming they have neglected water availability despite overseeing irrigation portfolios. He questioned water-sharing decisions under Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, alleging that water was being allowed downstream to Andhra Pradesh while Telangana farmers dependent on the Nagarjuna Sagar canal network were left without supplies.

Turning to broader agricultural welfare, Rama Rao accused the ruling party of reneging on its electoral Farmers' Declaration commitments, including the Rs 2 lakh farm loan waiver, Rs 15,000 per acre under Rythu Bharosa, Rs 12,000 annual aid for farm labourers, and Rs 500 per quintal bonuses for paddy and cotton. He noted that Rythu Bandhu payments had been withheld for three seasons and cited ongoing shortages of urea.

Rama Rao announced that the BRS will raise the water crisis during the Telangana Legislative Assembly session starting September 7 to demand accountability from the government. He reiterated that party leaders and farmers will begin the Kodad-Haliya march if no concrete announcement is delivered by the September 14 deadline.