KCR to take a tour of irrigation projects

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will heli-hop across Telangana from July 17 to conduct aerial surveys to locate suitable sites to construct new irrigation projects across Godavari and Krishna rivers.

If necessary, the Chief Minister will ride motorcycle to interior and hilly areas to conduct the survey for new irrigation projects. Sources said Rao was determined to use the Telangana share in Godavari and Krishna waters to maximum extent as he was keen to give a fillip to irrigation sector.

At a detailed review on irrigation at Secretariat, the Chief Minister had decided to conduct the aerial survey personally. He will be accompanied by irrigation officials, experts and advisors.'I want to see every place personally and design the new irrigation projects,' the Chief Minster told the officials.

Rao enquired about the water availability in Krishna and Godavari basins and scope for construction of new projects. The Chief Minister was of the view that though crores of rupees was spent on irrigation projects, farmers had failed to get water for new ayacut.

'The irrigation sector is in a limbo due to wrong policies, delay in execution of projects, corruption and lack of awareness in preparing proper designs,' Rao said. He made it clear that the projects should be taken up only to benefit the farmers.

Works Soon on Jurala-Pakala

Rao said Jurala-Pakala and Palamuru lift irrigation projects are essential for Telangana and directed the officials to complete the survey on the two projects within four months.

Rao said without using a single unit of power, Krishna water can be diverted up to 400 km in Telangana by constructing the Jurala-Pakala project.

The Palamuru lift irrigation is a major project for Telangana and water could be diverted by both lifts and gravity under the project, he said. Both the projects would be included in the first budget of Telangana, Rao told the officials.

Rao lamented that though the backward Adilabad receives good rainfall, the irrigated area is just 1.85 lakh acres so far. The Chief Minister said the Pranahita-Chevella design prepared earlier was not useful to utilise Godavari water effectively and added the design should be changed.

FILLIP TO IRRIGATION

To heli-hop across Telangana from July 17

To conduct aerial survey with experts

Motorcycle tours in hilly areas

To identify scope for new irrigation projects

Jurala-Pakala and Palamuru projects top priority

Wants change in Pranahita-Chevella design

Says zero tolerance to corruption in irrigation sector