Defunct tanks across Telangana state to see revival: CM K Chandrasekhar Rao

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said tanks dating back to the Kakatiya, Asaf Jahi period and defunct ones across Telangana should be revived and recharged in five years. “It’s unfortunate that many irrigation tanks have become defunct and are lying in neglect. We have taken a policy decision to revive and recharge all the minor tanks for irrigation and drinking water purposes, including those in Hyderabad and HMDA,” the Chief Minister said.

“Earlier, irrigation tanks provided irrigation facilities for upto 20 to 25 lakh acre, but it has dropped to 8-10 lakh acre. We will strive to bring back the lost glory of the minor tanks,” he added.

Promising to give a major boost to the minor irrigation sector in the state, Mr Rao said up to Rs 70,000 crore would be spent on irrigation in the coming five years. He, however, said that the engineers would have to play an active role in implementing the plans of the government and warned that his government would not tolerate any negligence in this regard.

Irrigation minister T. Harish Rao assured that funds would not come in the way of restoration and development of minor tanks and wells and asked the officials to meet the targets set by the Chief Minister. This initiative is being carried out to revive chain-link of tanks in the state.

CHAIN OF TANKS SAVED WATER

• Warangal and Hyderabad are endowed with thousands of tanks that were built by Kakatiya and Nizam rulers.
• Warangal and Hyderabad have a unique chain of tanks, where no rainwater goes to waste.
• The important water tanks built by Kakatiya kings include Ramappa, Laknavaram, Pakala and Mulug Ghanpur.
• In Warangal, when the Station Ghanpur tank overflows, the water flows to New Shyampet and when this tank is full, the water flows into Waddepally and then to Mucherla Nagaram tank.
• The water tanks in Warangal contribute to irrigation which helps in production of rice. Rice, produced in this area, watered by the Mulug Ghanpur tank is known for its taste.
• The chain of linked tanks in Hyderabad have been destroyed by encroachments.
• Irrigation experts say the revival of ancient tanks only require some funds.These tanks do not pose environmental threats like irrigation dam projects.
• In Hyderabad, a number of water bodies built by Qutub Shahi rulers (1534-1724 AD) and Asaf Jahi rulers (1724 to 1948 AD) have shrunk in size or have vanished.
• Prominent water bodies that have been affected include Ibrahimpatnam Cheruvu, Satam Cheruvu, Jamalikunta, Nandi Muslaiguda Cheruvu, Chalmakunta, Irlakunta, Mallaiahkunta etc.