Palamuru–Rangareddy Project to Be Completed in 20 Months: Uttam Kumar Reddy

The Telangana government has accelerated work on major irrigation infrastructure in south Telangana , setting a deadline of 20 months to complete the ambitious Palamuru - Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project (PRLIP) aimed at addressing long-standing water shortages in the region.

The decision was announced during a high-level review meeting held at Jalasoudha , chaired by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy . Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Vakiti Srihari , along with Members of Parliament and MLAs from the region, attended the meeting where progress of key irrigation schemes was reviewed.

Officials informed the meeting that the government has adopted a mission-mode approach to fast-track irrigation works and strengthen agricultural infrastructure in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar region , which has historically struggled with drought conditions and farmer migration due to lack of water resources.

The Palamuru - Rangareddy project , one of the largest lift irrigation schemes in Telangana, is designed to draw floodwaters from the Krishna River and supply irrigation to vast tracts of farmland across southern districts. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly expand irrigation coverage and provide reliable water supply to farmers in drought-prone areas.

Alongside PRLIP, the government is also focusing on completing pending works under several other major irrigation schemes. The minister announced that the Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu, Bheema and Koilsagar projects will be completed by March 2027 . To speed up progress, the state plans to allocate substantial funds in the coming year, including ₹909 crore for Kalwakurthy , ₹252 crore for Nettampadu , ₹200 crore for Bheema , and ₹185 crore for Koilsagar .

Emphasising water management, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government is determined to utilise Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna river waters efficiently and ensure that irrigation potential across the state is fully realised. He also criticised the previous BRS government , alleging that several irrigation projects slowed down due to lack of effective implementation after 2014.

According to the minister, the present government has already spent ₹7,161 crore on the Palamuru–Rangareddy project since December 7, 2023 , with significant emphasis on land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement of affected families to clear bottlenecks in construction.

Highlighting the state’s agricultural performance, Uttam Kumar Reddy noted that during the recent Kharif season , Telangana produced 148.5 lakh metric tonnes of paddy , emerging as one of the leading producers in the country. The government procured nearly 72 lakh metric tonnes of paddy , transferring about ₹20,000 crore directly into farmers’ bank accounts .

The minister reiterated that irrigation development remains a top priority for the government, expressing confidence that ongoing projects will transform south Telangana into a fertile agricultural belt in the coming years.