The proposed lift irrigation project at Kodangal, spearheaded by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, has stirred a hornet’s nest of controversy. Estimated to cost a staggering ₹4,350 crore and aimed at irrigating one lakh acres, the project intends to draw water from the Krishna River to benefit the Mahabubnagar district. This cost doesn’t include additional expenses like pumping and regulatory channels, along with a minimum 5% annual cost escalation. While the intentions behind this ambitious initiative may seem noble, it has come under sharp criticism from BJP national council member Marri Shashidhar Reddy, who questions the wisdom of investing such a colossal amount in a river system that is already severely stressed. Shashidhar Reddy, known for his upright demeanor and his expertise as the former head of the National Disaster Management Authority, raises a valid concern: Why invest in a massive project like this when the Krishna River’s water supply is unpredictable and largely dependent on monsoons? His argument is grounded in the reality that states like Maharashtra and Karnataka have already heavily exploited the Krishna basin, leaving Telangana with limited water resources to tap into. This scarcity raises fundamental questions about the feasibility and long-term sustainability of the Kodangal project. The concerns voiced by Shashidhar Reddy gain even more significance when one recalls the troubled legacy of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, once touted as Asia’s largest. This project, initiated under the leadership of K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), faced a whirlwind of allegations, including financial mismanagement, corruption, and escalating costs. Originally estimated at a few thousand crores, the Kaleshwaram project’s budget ballooned to over ₹1 lakh crore. Technical failures and accusations of funds being siphoned off for personal gain further tarnished its image. Given these troubling precedents, it is perplexing why the Revanth Reddy administration would embark on a similarly massive venture when more cost-effective and proven alternatives are available.
Shashidhar Reddy’s suggestion to adopt the ‘four waters’ concept—an innovative water management strategy proposed by the renowned engineer T. Hanumantha Rao—presents a compelling alternative. This approach integrates rainwater, surface water, groundwater, and soil moisture, potentially enhancing water availability for agriculture at a fraction of the cost. The success of the ‘four waters’ concept has already been demonstrated in places like Gotigaripalli village in Kohir Mandal in the erstwhile Medak district (now Zaheerabad), where it has enabled a three-crop cycle annually for the last 20 years. Its implementation in Rajasthan has turned semi-arid regions into fertile lands, making a strong case for its wider adoption in water-scarce states like Telangana. Public policy expert Dr Donthi Narasimha Reddy adds another layer to this argument by emphasizing how watershed management, combined with technical expertise from institutions like ISRO and NRSC, could revolutionize large-scale irrigation projects. According to Dr. Narasimha Reddy, such a model would not only be cost-effective but also environmentally sustainable, addressing the needs of marginalized communities while protecting the state’s dwindling financial resources.
Revanth Reddy’s determination to push ahead with the Kodangal project, despite the glaring warnings from past experiences, raises questions about the motivation behind this decision. Has the government adequately considered the financial strain on the already beleaguered state exchequer? Is this project another political maneuver designed to gain quick electoral mileage, or does it genuinely prioritize the welfare of Telangana’s farmers? As Telangana grapples with fiscal constraints and a history of large-scale irrigation projects marred by allegations of graft and mismanagement, it would be wise for the Chief Minister to pause and reassess his strategy. Instead of diving headfirst into a ₹4,350 crore venture, excluding the cost of acquiring about 3,000 acres and the inevitable escalation of project costs, with uncertain outcomes, exploring the ‘four waters’ concept—at a cost of a meagre ₹150 crore to provide water for three crops a year to one lakh acres—as a sustainable and low-cost solution could be a more prudent choice. The lessons learned from the Kaleshwaram debacle should not be ignored, as they serve as a stark reminder of what happens when grand ambitions are not matched by accountability and transparency. In the interest of financial health and credible governance, better judgment must prevail. It’s time for Revanth Reddy to demonstrate true leadership by making decisions that are not only technically sound but also fiscally responsible. Telangana cannot afford another irrigation project marred by controversy, inflated costs, and dubious execution. A careful, well-considered approach could save the state from repeating the mistakes of its past and lay the groundwork for a more sustainable and corruption-free future.
