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Half of Telangana Irrigation Empty Soon
Half the Irrigation Department Will Be Empty If Kaleshwaram Engineers Face Action: Telangana CM
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has raised serious concerns regarding the Kaleshwaram irrigation project and the accountability of the officers involved. Speaking at an event in Hyderabad on September 26, he stated that if action is taken against engineers associated with the Kaleshwaram project, nearly half of the irrigation department would be left vacant.
The chief minister’s comments were directed at newly appointed assistant executive engineers (AEEs) during an address at Jala Soudha, where he emphasized the systemic issues plaguing the department and the difficulties in identifying where responsibility should lie for the alleged mismanagement of the project.
Blame Shifting in Kaleshwaram Project
Reddy outlined a concerning pattern of blame-shifting that stretches across the hierarchy of the irrigation department. “From assistant engineers to executive engineers, all the way to the engineer-in-chief, and even the irrigation minister, the blame will go up the ladder. Ultimately, they will all say that the instructions came from the high command,” he said. The Kaleshwaram project, intended to transform irrigation across the state, has been mired in controversy, with questions raised about inflated costs and incomplete work.
Systemic Problems in Project Implementation
In his address, the chief minister expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on whom action should be taken against. “Nobody is able to understand who should be held responsible. That’s the reality,” he said. He compared the work ethic of engineers today to that of the legendary Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Vishweshwaraiah, who was responsible for monumental projects like the Osmansagar and Himayatsagar dams, which continue to supply drinking water to Hyderabad.
Reddy urged the newly-appointed engineers to reflect on the legacy they want to leave behind, highlighting the stark contrast between the integrity of past engineers and the alleged mismanagement in recent projects like Kaleshwaram.
Escalating Costs and Pending Projects
According to CM Revanth Reddy, the original cost estimate for the Kaleshwaram project was Rs 1 lakh crore, but it has since escalated to Rs 1,47,000 crore. The government has already cleared Rs 1 lakh crore in pending bills, yet the project remains incomplete. He further revealed that over the last decade, Rs 1,90,000 crore has been spent on various irrigation initiatives in Telangana, with minimal progress to show for it.
He pointed out that despite the vast expenditure, only 52,000 acres of land have been brought under irrigation through Kaleshwaram. In addition, several other important projects, such as Kalwakurthy, SLBC, Nettempadu, Bhima, Palamuru-Rangareddy, and Indirasagar, remain unfinished.
Inter-State Water Disputes and Project Delays
The chief minister also addressed the ongoing inter-state water disputes, stating that incomplete projects have been a major cause of these conflicts. He argued that had the projects been completed on time, many of these issues could have been resolved, as water allocations for the projects had already been agreed upon.
“The delay in these irrigation projects is leading to unnecessary disputes between states,” he said, underlining the importance of timely project completion for regional cooperation and development.
Appeal to Newly-Appointed Engineers
In his closing remarks, Reddy urged the newly-appointed engineers to prioritize ethics and integrity in their work. He encouraged them to challenge any unjust instructions from superiors, reminding them that decisions made on the ground have long-term consequences. “If you put your education, experience, and quality behind your work and return any unjust decisions, such situations can be avoided,” he said.
The chief minister also assured the engineers that they could approach him with any issues they face in their work. However, he warned that requests for transfers or favorable postings would not be entertained, and such behavior would be strongly discouraged.
Conclusion
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks have put a spotlight on the Kaleshwaram irrigation project and the larger challenges facing Telangana’s irrigation department. With rising costs, incomplete projects, and mounting inter-state disputes, the need for accountability and reform within the department has never been greater. As the state government grapples with these issues, the role of engineers in shaping Telangana’s future remains crucial.
