Irrigation minister T Harish Rao has refuted the allegations of Congress leaders that the change in the proposed barrage of Pranahita-Chevella from Tummidi Hatti in Adilabad to Medigadda near Kaleswaram in Karimnagar would deprive Adilabad farmers of irrigation waters.
Speaking to reporters at Telangana Bhavan here on Wednesday, Harish Rao said the availability of water at Tummidi Hatti was less and the government could draw its share of water from Godavari at Medigadda near Kaleswaram. That was why the state government was contemplating to change the construction of Pranahita-Chevella barrage at Medigadda near Kaleswaram from the earlier proposal of Tummidi Hatti in Adilabad, he said.
The availability of water at Tummidi Hatti was less than 5 tmc. Around 90 villages would be submerged if the barrage was constructed at Tummidi Hatti. The estimated cost of barrage at Tummidi Hatti was `1,900 crore and it would be only `1,800 crore at Kaleswaram.
The availability of water at Kaleswaram in Godavari was around 10 tmc for more than 120 days, he said and added that there would be no submergence of huge extent of lands if the barrage was constructed at Medigadda.
“Some leaders have been spreading rumours that the entire Kaleswaram will be submerged, if the barrage was constructed at Medigadda,” Harish Rao said and wanted the people not to believe such words.
He further said around 50,000 acres in Vemanapalli and Beemani mandals in Bellampally Assembly segment would receive water through the proposed Pranahita-Chevalla. Around 60,000 acres would be irrigated in three mandals in Sirpur Assembly segment.
Without knowing these facts, the Congress leaders are making false allegations that Adilabad farmers would not get water, if the barrage is constructed at Kaleswaram, Harish Rao said.
“The TRS government is committed to construct new irrigation projects despite the machinations of Congress and TDP,” Harish Rao said.
Source: The New Indian Express