2 hrs ago

Harish Rao Urges Officials to Pump Godavari Water

T. Harish Rao asked the irrigation minister to pump more water from the Godavari River.

He said the Kaleshwaram project’s reservoirs are not full.

He argued that this is happening even though the river has had heavy flood flows.

Harish Rao said the government should not blame El Nino for the water shortage.

He said pumping water could help farmers and provide drinking water.

He estimated that nearly five lakh acres could benefit.

He also said cities and districts including Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Warangal could receive more water.

He claimed that a palm oil factory in Narmetta is also facing problems because it does not have enough water.

Key facts

Main demand: Use Godavari water through the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme.
Reservoir capacity: KLIS reservoirs were described as having a combined capacity of 141 tmc ft.
Proposed starting point: Harish Rao said pumping could begin at Yellampalli.
Potential irrigation benefit: Nearly five lakh acres could receive irrigation, according to Harish Rao.
Drinking-water benefit: The proposal could help meet Hyderabad’s drinking-water needs.
Additional areas: Harish Rao said Lower Manair Dam pumping could support Karimnagar and Warangal districts.
Industrial concern: He said an oil palm factory at Narmetta was facing operational difficulties because of inadequate water from Ranganayaka Sagar.

deccanchronicle.com · 2 hrs ago