Uttam Kumar Reddy Slams BRS for 'False Propaganda' on Irrigation Projects


HYDERABAD (Same Day): Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday accused the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of indulging in what he termed "false propaganda" regarding the condition of old irrigation projects such as Jurala and Manjeera. He held the BRS government responsible for the deterioration of these projects due to years of alleged neglect. Addressing the media following an inspection of the Jurala project, Reddy said the current issues being flagged by the Opposition were the outcome of poor maintenance and a lack of investment in essential upkeep over the past decade. "No minimum operation and maintenance was carried out. There was no desiltation, no removal of sediment or vegetation, and no effort to enhance the capacity of the dam," he said. Reddy noted that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had sanctioned ₹100 crore for the construction of an alternative bridge at Jurala to reduce vehicular load on the dam and safeguard its structural integrity. He added that engineers and technical experts had confirmed there was no immediate threat to the dam’s safety.

“The CM was particular about protecting Jurala. This sanction reflects our government’s proactive approach to preserving vital irrigation infrastructure,” the Minister said. Responding to concerns raised over the functioning of stroke gates and dam ropes, Reddy termed them “non-issues”, claiming that regular inspections were underway and repairs were being conducted where necessary. "The flood readiness of the dam will be ensured by mid-July," he said.

The Minister said that under the BRS regime, emphasis was placed on mega projects such as Kaleshwaram, while older projects were sidelined. “Thousands of crores were spent on projects that fetched commissions. That’s why the older assets suffered, and consequently, the farmers did too,” he alleged.

He further informed that ₹300 crore had been sanctioned for the installation of a second gantry crane at Jurala, alongside a detailed desiltation plan to restore lost capacity. “Jurala’s storage capacity has declined by an estimated 20–25% due to silt accumulation. We are now addressing that systematically,” he said.

In addition, work had commenced to store 4 TMC of water at the Rayalampadu reservoir, and construction of the Mallammakunta reservoir would be completed shortly.

Focus on the Palamuru Region...

Reddy said the Congress government was according priority to irrigation needs in the undivided Mahabubnagar district, with a special focus on completing the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme. He also announced that the long-pending Nettampadu project had been approved for ₹2,753 crore under revised estimates, with a completion target set for December this year.

Accompanied by Minister Vakiti Srihari, Planning Board Vice-Chairman G. Chinna Reddy, several MLAs, and senior officials, Reddy reviewed the ongoing works at Jurala. Officials assured that all 62 gates were in operational condition, with rope replacements already underway. Minister Srihari said that while the early onset of monsoon had delayed some repair works, there was no cause for concern. “The same BRS leaders who oversaw the failure of Kaleshwaram are now raising alarms about Jurala. Their hypocrisy is evident,” he said.

The Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department clarified that gate inspections were routine and that four ropes had already been replaced, with another four to be completed shortly. Reddy concluded by reiterating the Congress government's commitment to restoring and strengthening Telangana’s irrigation infrastructure through transparent and scientific methods.

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