Hyderabad Telangana Devadula Project Faces Water Supply Questions
Hyderabad: Political debate over the operation of the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme intensified on Tuesday after opposition leaders questioned the Telangana government’s handling of available Godavari water, arguing that delayed pumping has affected irrigation supply across parts of the former Warangal region. The issue has renewed focus on water resource management, agricultural resilience and the efficient use of irrigation infrastructure during the ongoing cultivation season.
The Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme has become the centre of discussion as opposition representatives alleged that only a limited number of pumping units are operating despite sufficient river flows, available power supply and existing infrastructure. They claimed that the project has not been utilised to its full capacity, affecting farmers who rely on canal water for crop transplantation. According to the opposition, the state administration had earlier indicated that pumping operations would be expanded to support reservoir filling under the irrigation network. However, it was alleged that the expected level of pumping has not been maintained, leaving several command areas awaiting water despite favourable river conditions. The concerns come as farmers in parts of the erstwhile Warangal district continue seeking timely irrigation support during a critical phase of the agricultural season. Agricultural experts note that dependable water releases are essential for protecting crop yields, particularly during transplantation, when delays can affect productivity and increase cultivation costs.
The Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme is designed to lift Godavari river water to reservoirs serving large agricultural areas across Telangana. Water resource specialists emphasise that such large-scale lift irrigation systems play an important role in improving water security for rain-dependent regions. However, they also point out that operational efficiency, energy availability and coordinated reservoir management are crucial to achieving intended outcomes. The opposition further argued that maximising the utilisation of available river water could help improve irrigation coverage while reducing the risk of water shortages later in the season. They urged the government to operate all available pumping units and ensure that reservoirs linked to the project receive adequate inflows for both irrigation and drinking water needs.
The state government has not issued a detailed response to the latest allegations. Any operational decisions regarding pump capacity, reservoir management or water allocation are expected to be guided by technical assessments, river inflows and irrigation demand across project command areas. As Telangana continues strengthening its irrigation network, experts say efficient management of major lift irrigation projects will remain critical for improving agricultural resilience, supporting rural livelihoods and ensuring sustainable use of river water resources in the face of changing climatic conditions.
