Telangana CM accuses BRS of Neglecting Palamuru Project, Vows Completion Within Two Years
Mahabubnagar, June 5 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday evening launched a scathing attack on the previous BRS government, alleging that it abandoned the prestigious Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme midway and spent public money on pumps and lift components while failing to deliver irrigation benefits to farmers.
Addressing a press conference during his visit to irrigation projects in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district, the Chief Minister asserted that the Congress government would complete the Palamuru-Rangareddy project within two years and appealed to local communities to cooperate in expediting pending land acquisition.
Revanth Reddy alleged that the previous government spent nearly ₹1.81 lakh crore on irrigation projects during its decade-long rule, including around ₹1 lakh crore on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, while neglecting the Palamuru-Rangareddy scheme.
He claimed that approximately ₹27,000 crore was spent on the Palamuru project, with a substantial portion allegedly utilised for pumps and lifts without ensuring water supply to even a single acre of farmland.
“The project has the potential to supply 90 TMC of water. Had it been completed along with Jurala, Bhima, Nettempadu, Koilsagar and Kalwakurthy projects, irrigation could have been provided to nearly 26 lakh acres in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district,” the Chief Minister said.
Revanth Reddy further alleged that land acquisition for the project was left incomplete during the BRS regime and accused the previous government of prioritising contractor payments over project execution.
According to the Chief Minister, the previous government borrowed ₹84,503 crore for irrigation projects over ten years, while the Congress government has cleared liabilities amounting to ₹52,120 crore within the last 30 months. He said the present government had paid around ₹22,000 crore to contractors and spent ₹8,000 crore on the Palamuru project during the same period.
The Chief Minister noted that acquisition of nearly 4,000 acres required for project completion remains pending and appealed to landowners and local residents to support the government’s efforts.
Taking exception to BRS leaders’ claims that 90 per cent of the project work had been completed during their tenure, Revanth Reddy questioned how such a level of progress could have been achieved without spending even half of the estimated project cost.
“How can 90 per cent of the work be completed without spending even 50 per cent of the project budget?” he asked, dismissing the claims as misleading.
Stating that the Congress government was determined to complete long-pending irrigation projects despite financial constraints, the Chief Minister said the administration was working with a sense of urgency and responsibility.
“My visit is aimed at ensuring the completion of Palamuru district projects on a war footing. History will not forgive us if we fail to complete them,” he said.
The Chief Minister also took a swipe at BRS leaders planning a padayatra, suggesting they extend their march to Kashi as an act of atonement for the alleged failures of the previous government.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to irrigation development in the region, Revanth Reddy said completing the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme remains a top priority and would significantly improve agricultural prospects and water security across southern Telangana.
TNT TS
