Hyderabad – BJP leader Marri Shashidhar Reddy has issued an open letter to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, urging him to prioritize water security in Vikarabad district through the implementation of the “Four Water Concept,” a transformative water management model developed by Hanumantha Rao.
Highlighting the district’s challenges, Shashidhar Reddy pointed out that Vikarabad remains underdeveloped, with over 86% of its cropped area reliant on rain-fed agriculture. “This heavy dependence on rain-fed farming is directly linked to the backwardness of the region, where 83.9% of the holdings are marginal or small farms, and SCs, STs, and BCs make up 84.3% of the population,” he wrote.
Last month, the Dr. M. Channa Reddy Memorial Trust convened a round table discussion to address Vikarabad’s water woes and explore sustainable solutions. The event brought together local leaders, including Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, MP Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, and environmentalist Prof. Purushotham Reddy, among others.
The participants unanimously supported Hanumantha Rao’s Four Water Concept as a low-cost, effective solution. This model, when implemented, could convert rain-fed areas into fertile lands capable of sustaining three crops annually, drastically improving the livelihoods of marginalized farmers.
Shashidhar Reddy criticized the failure of large-scale irrigation projects like the Pranahita-Chevella and Palamuru-Ranga Reddy schemes, which he described as “non-starters.” Instead, he emphasized the potential of localized solutions like the Four Water Concept, citing its success in transforming Rajasthan’s arid lands under BJP Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s leadership in 2014.
“The reluctance of bureaucrats and engineers to support such initiatives stems from their preference for large-scale projects, which often involve significant financial outlays,” he remarked.
Reddy pointed to the success of the Four Water Concept in Gottigaripalli village, Kohir Mandal, Zaheerabad district, where it was first implemented in 2001. “Even after 22 years, the village enjoys water availability for three crops annually, even during drought years,” he noted, urging the CM to visit the village during his upcoming trip to Zaheerabad.
If a visit is not possible, Reddy suggested that senior officials, including the Vice Chairman of the State Planning Board and the State Chief Secretary, could be deputed to witness the project’s benefits firsthand. Both officials were instrumental in implementing similar initiatives during the tenure of former CM Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy.
In his letter, Shashidhar Reddy requested the CM to ensure that the proposal is routed through the Rural Development Department rather than the Irrigation Department to overcome bureaucratic resistance. He also shared a detailed presentation in Telugu on the Four Water Concept for the CM’s review.
“The only reason such a proven concept has been ignored is the lack of opportunities for large contractor commissions,” he alleged, urging the CM to take decisive action to address the district’s water scarcity and unlock its agricultural potential.
Reddy concluded his letter with a firm appeal: “Transforming Vikarabad’s rain-fed lands into fertile fields will not only alleviate poverty but also set an example for sustainable water management across Telangana.”
