BRS general secretary T Jeevan Reddy has accused Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of delaying repairs to the Medigadda barrage and avoiding immediate measures to lift Godavari water at the Kannepalli pump house, as farmers face drought conditions in the State.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Wednesday, Jeevan Reddy said the Chief Minister’s focus on the Tummidihatti project was intended to divert attention from the need to repair Medigadda and restart operations at Kannepalli. He questioned why Revanth Reddy had waited three months for an appointment with the Maharashtra Chief Minister and held discussions without a Detailed Project Report.
“The entire exercise was aimed at buying time, diverting public attention and evade Medigadda repairs,” Jeevan Reddy said, according to Telangana Today.
The BRS leader said the government had not initiated even temporary measures to use Godavari River water at the Kannepalli pump house, despite what he described as the immediate needs of farmers. He alleged that the government had limited its response to announcements without setting out a concrete action plan.
Jeevan Reddy claimed that around 20,000 cusecs of water was available near the Kannepalli pump house and argued that temporary works, including a coffer dam, could be taken up to lift at least one TMCft of water. He said the facility had the potential to lift up to 150 TMCft and maintained that such temporary action would not obstruct permanent repairs to the Medigadda barrage.
The BRS leader also disputed the understanding of the relationship between the three barrages. He said Annaram and Sundilla were located on the Godavari River and remained safe, while Medigadda was on the Pranahita River. On that basis, he argued that lifting water at Kannepalli would not affect the other two barrages. He also questioned the State government’s decision to ignore the Central Water and Power Research Station report.
The dispute places the operation of Telangana’s major irrigation infrastructure alongside immediate questions about water access during dry conditions. The claims made at the press conference, however, represent the position of the BRS leader; the report did not include a response from the Chief Minister or the State government to the allegations.
Jeevan Reddy further criticised the government for what he described as inadequate preparation for El Nino and demanded clarity on Yasangi, or Rabi, crop planning. He also sought details on Rythu Bharosa and assistance for agricultural labourers, including the proposed payment of Rs 12,000 to job-card holders under the Indira Gandhi Aatmeeya Bharosa scheme.
On Tummidihatti, he urged the government to begin work at the 152-metre level and reach an agreement later, referring to Karnataka’s approach to the Almatti project. He compared the previous BRS government’s completion of the Kaleshwaram project in three years with what he described as the present administration’s inability to repair two Medigadda pillars.
The immediate issues raised by the BRS leader are the status of Medigadda repairs, the feasibility of temporary pumping at Kannepalli and the State government’s plan for drought relief and Rabi crop management. The government’s position on these demands and the next steps for the barrage and pump house were not stated in the supplied report.
