Archive · 26 Sep 2026
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.
BRS leader T. Harish Rao urged Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy to use Godavari water through the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme.
Harish Rao said KLIS reservoirs with a combined capacity of 141 tmc ft were awaiting water despite heavy Godavari flows.
He said pumping from Yellampalli could fill several reservoirs, support Hyderabad’s drinking-water needs and irrigate nearly five lakh acres.
Harish Rao said pumping to the Lower Manair Dam could support irrigation and drinking water needs in Karimnagar and Warangal districts.
He also said inadequate water from Ranganayaka Sagar was creating operational difficulties for an oil palm factory in Narmetta.
- Who
- BRS leader T. Harish Rao urged Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy to act.
- What
- Harish Rao called for Godavari water to be pumped into reservoirs linked to the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme.
- When
- Friday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The proposed pumping would begin at Yellampalli and serve reservoirs and districts in and around Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Warangal.
- Why
- Harish Rao said drought-like conditions, drying crops and unfilled reservoirs require the government to use available Godavari water.
- 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.