CM Revanth Reddy Calls for Power, Water Conservation Ahead of Summer

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has urged people and farmers to conserve electricity and water, warning that the state could face severe resource shortages in the coming summer due to drought conditions and the impact of El Niño. He called for advance planning and collective efforts to minimise the impact of the anticipated crisis.

The Chief Minister advised people to avoid using lights during the daytime unless necessary and reduce air-conditioner usage to tackle the power shortage. He also directed officials to implement electricity-saving measures in government offices. Concealing facts about the possible impact of El Niño would only aggravate the situation, he cautioned.

Stressing the importance of renewable energy, Revanth Reddy called for greater adoption of solar power to reduce dependence on conventional electricity sources. Rooftop solar panels could help households generate power for their own needs and earn additional income by selling surplus electricity, he said.

Citing his native village, Kondareddypalli, he said residents had installed rooftop solar systems and were earning money by selling excess power. He called for expanding similar initiatives across Telangana.

Turning to agriculture, the Chief Minister warned that water availability could become critically low during the approaching summer. He urged farmers to reduce water-intensive paddy cultivation and shift towards alternative crops requiring less water. Farmers should consider available water resources before deciding their cropping patterns, he said.

He added that declining water availability would affect agriculture, livestock and other animals, making their protection a collective responsibility. Efficient use of water and electricity, he said, would help the state prepare for worsening drought conditions.

Revanth Reddy also targeted the previous BRS government over the Yadadri Thermal Power Plant. He alleged that the project was part of a plan to siphon off Rs 1 lakh crore and questioned why the plant was established at Yadadri instead of an area with readily available coal resources. He demanded that BRS leaders explain the project's decisions and expenditure.

The Chief Minister called for coordinated action by the government, public and farming community to address the challenges posed by El Niño, water scarcity and rising electricity demand.