CM KCR reviewed on irrigation Projects

Hyderabad, Aug 30: The Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has conducted a joint review meeting with officials of agriculture, irrigation, Mission Bhagiratha, and revenue here on Tuesday.

The Deputy Chief Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali, Ministers T. Harish Rao, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and top officials were present.

The meeting discussed utilization of water available from Krishna and Godavari rivers for drinking water, irrigation, power and for industries at the optimal level with efficiency where Mr. Rao made several suggestions.

With water to be available from Kaleswaram project next year, water will be available from the projects to Warangal, Karimnagar, Medak, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Nalgonda, Khammam, Ranga Reddy, and Hyderabad.

Hence, Mission Bhagiratha officials were told to prepare two plans - about the present day availability of water and resources and preparing plans keeping in view the need till July next year.

Mr. Rao wanted estimates to be prepared for drinking water needs for Hyderabad, urban local bodies and villages too.

Alternative arrangements are to be made for water supply to Hyderabad and Nalgonda districts as there is insufficient water in the Krishna.

The Irrigation Department was asked to take steps to release water to Hyderabad from Singur and from Nagarjunasagar to Udayasamudram via Akkampalli to Nalgonda from Tuesday night itself.

A permanent solution for drinking water problem to Hyderabad is to build two new reservoirs to help when the river inflows are low and during famine as the existing capacity of Gandipet and Himayatsagar's reservoirs is not enough to meet the demand, he added.