State Distilling Major Irrigation Projects To Restore Original Storage Capacity: Uttam
The state government released 3,000 cusecs of water through the left canal
Nalgonda, July 29: Irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday said that the state government had taken up desilting of all major irrigation projects to restore their water storage capacity to original levels. He was speaking after a ceremony to open the gates of the Nagarjunasagar dam, the first time this was done so in 18 years in July.
He was accompanied by minister Adluri Laxman Kumar. Water was also released to the left canal much earlier than the scheduled date. Initially, Gates 13 and 14 of the dam were lifted, followed by the lifting of all 26 crest gates by five feet, releasing 2 lakh cusecs of water downstream.
Describing the event as deeply symbolic, Uttam Kumar Reddy said, “NSP is not just a dam, but a modern temple of irrigation. It reflects the vision of our national leaders and the hopes of lakhs of farmers. It’s a proud moment to open these gates and witness Krishnamma in her full glory.”
Recollecting that he was elected six times as MLA and once as MP from the Nagarjunasagar ayacut region, he said that ensuring water reaches the last field is his mission.
He informed that ahead of the Kharif season, the state government released 3,000 cusecs of water through the left canal, even before the formal schedule, to support early sowing. This, the minister said, is part of the state’s comprehensive irrigation strategy. Telangana recorded a record paddy output of 281 lakh metric tonnes across the last Kharif and Rabi seasons — the highest in the country.
“To improve canal efficiency, the state government has sanctioned `63 crore for lining the main canal, with works expected to be completed next year. Such investments are essential to minimise seepage losses and ensure uninterrupted flow to tail-end lands,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.
He added that inflows are expected to continue over the next few days and that gate operations would be adjusted accordingly to manage flood levels.
Laxman Kumar said that the Congress government is supporting farmers through various welfare schemes, including Rythu Bharosa.
Later, the irrigation minister also released 6,634 cusecs of water through the NSP left canal. The total outflow from the project was 2,48,235 cusecs, and the inflow was 2,55,811 cusecs. The water level in the project stood at 587.6 feet, against the full reservoir level of 590 feet.
Nagarjunasagar dam irrigates 22.12 lakh acres, 6.30 lakh acres in Telangana and 4.08 lakh acres in Andhra Pradesh.
Tight canal, named after Pandit Nehru, irrigates 11.74 lakh acres
180.75-km left canal, named after Lal Bahadur Shastri, serves 10.38 lakh acres.
Left canal supplies water to 1.46 lakh acres in Nalgonda district and 2.30 lakh acres in Suryapet district.
Dam also generates 700 megawatts (MW) of power through seven units at the main plant, and an additional 60 MW through two units on the left canal.
Foundation stone for Nagarjunasagar laid by Jawaharlal Nehru on December 10, 1955.
Project inaugurated by Indira Gandhi in 1967.
Crest gates completed in 1974.
