Latest news with #UttamKumarReddy
New Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rs 100 crore for alternative bridge at Jurala, says Telangana Minister Uttam
HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday strongly condemned what he described as false propaganda by BRS leaders regarding the condition of old irrigation projects such as Jurala and Manjeera. He asserted that the current issues affecting these projects are the direct result of the BRS government's decade-long negligence, particularly their failure to carry out even routine maintenance — not due to any fault of the present Congress administration. Uttam Kumar Reddy, accompanied by minister Vakiti Srihari, inspected the Jurala project on Saturday and later addressed the media. He said that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has taken a personal interest in the protection of the Jurala project and sanctioned Rs 100 crore for the construction of an alternative bridge. This bridge aims to divert heavy vehicular traffic from the dam surface, thereby preventing long-term structural damage. 'The chief minister is deeply committed to safeguarding Jurala and sanctioned the funds today,' he said. Referring to reports about damage to the gate ropes at Jurala, Uttam Kumar Reddy dismissed the concerns as exaggerated. 'There is no threat to the dam's operations. Engineers and technical experts have confirmed this. The BRS is misleading farmers instead of acknowledging its own failures,' he said. He reiterated that the Congress government is fully committed to the proper maintenance of existing irrigation projects while also taking up the construction of new ones to meet the long-term irrigation needs of Telangana. 'We are systematically restoring every project that was neglected by the previous regime — Jurala, Manjeera, Nagarjunasagar, SRSP, Kalwakurthy, Koilsagar, and Bhima — while giving top priority to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme. Our goal is to make the entire undivided Mahbubnagar district lush green again,' he said.
Hans India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BRS doing propaganda on Jurala, Manjeera: Uttam
Hyderabad: StateIrrigation, Food & Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday strongly condemned what he described as the propaganda and 'highly condemnable disinformation' being spread by BRS leaders over the condition of old irrigation projects such as Jurala and Manjeera. He said that the issues being witnessed today in these projects were directly the result of BRS's ten-year-long negligence and failure to carry out even routine maintenance, not because of any fault of the Congress government. He underlined that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had personally taken interest in safeguarding Jurala dam by acting decisively to sanction ₹100 crore for an alternative bridge. Revanth's move was intended to reduce heavy vehicular traffic on the Jurala dam surface and prevent any long-term damage to the dam structure, he explained. 'Revanth Reddy himself was particular that Jurala must be protected, and he ensured this sanction today,' Uttam Kumar Reddy said. He stressed that allegations regarding ropes and stroke gates at Jurala were a non-issue, and engineers and technical experts had clearly confirmed there was no threat to the dam's operations. 'BRS leaders are simply trying to do propaganda and mislead farmers, instead of owning up to their failures,' he charged. He reaffirmed that the Congress government was sincere and fully committed to properly maintaining all old projects while also building new ones for the long-term irrigation needs of Telangana. 'We are systematically restoring every project they ignored - Jurala, Manjeera, Nagarjuna Sagar, SRSP, Kalwakurthy, Koilsagar, Bhima – on priority for Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme. Our goal is to make the entire undivided Mahabubnagar district green and lush again,' he stated. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who inspected Jurala along with Minister Vakiti Srihari, Planning Board Vice-Chairman Dr G Chinna Reddy, MLAs Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, Megha Reddy, Parinika Reddy, Vijayudu, AICC secretary Sampath Kumar, former ZP Chairperson Saritha Tirupathiah, Collector Santosh Kumar and senior engineers, said that no minimum operation and maintenance was carried out under BRS rule for ten years. There was no routine desiltation, no sediment or vegetation removal, and no upgrades, he said. 'Jurala's capacity alone has dropped by nearly 20–25% due to silt accumulation,' he revealed.
Hans India
a day ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Government Prioritizes Irrigation: Restoration of Old Projects and Boost to Water Security, Says Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy
Gadwal: The Telangana State Government is moving forward with a prestigious and strategic approach to ensure the full utilization of every irrigation project in the state, said Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy. On Saturday, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with Animal Husbandry, Youth, and Sports Minister Vakkati Srihari, visited the Priyadarshini Jurala Project and Ryalampadu Reservoir in Jogulamba Gadwal district. They conducted a field inspection to review the technical and operational issues of the Jurala Project. Speaking later at a press conference held at the District Collector's office, the Irrigation Minister assured that the Jurala Project is structurally and technically safe. He explained that 58 out of 62 gates are functioning without interruption, while four gates are temporarily affected by rope issues, which pose no threat to the integrity of the dam. The Minister highlighted that Jurala has withstood major floods in the past and reiterated that all necessary safety measures are being implemented under the current government's supervision. Neglect by Past Government, Corrective Action by the Current Regime Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy criticized the previous administration for its gross negligence in the maintenance of irrigation projects over the past decade. He stated that the present government has prioritized correcting these mistakes by focusing on rigorous operation and maintenance (O&M) efforts within just 18 months of coming to power. He pointed out that although earlier technical reports advised restricting heavy vehicle movement on the Jurala dam, the previous government ignored those warnings. The current administration has now taken firm steps to resolve this, sanctioning ₹100 crore for the construction of an alternative road and vehicle bridge around the Jurala complex. The Minister also announced that routine maintenance is being carried out across all major irrigation projects such as Jurala, Manjeera, and Nagarjuna Sagar to prevent any future hazards. He added that desiltation and sedimentation removal works are underway to restore the full capacity of the Jurala Project, along with a ₹300 crore grant for the installation of a new gantry system. Enhancement of Ryalampadu Reservoir Capacity Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy further revealed plans to increase the storage capacity of the Ryalampadu Reservoir from 2 TMC to 4 TMC, which would greatly benefit the farming community. Land acquisition for the Mallamma Kunta Reservoir under the Tummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme is being expedited. Additionally, work on connecting the Ryalampadu Reservoir through the Jurala left canal is being fast-tracked. He stated that ₹25 crore has already been released for land acquisition related to the Nettempadu Project, with the remaining amount to follow soon. A total of ₹2,051 crore has been sanctioned for the Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Project, which the government aims to complete fully by December 2025. 11,000 New Irrigation Engineers Recruited In a significant move to address human resource gaps, the Minister mentioned that 11,000 new irrigation engineers have been recruited — a stark contrast to the previous administration which conducted no recruitments in this sector. He emphasized that this step demonstrates the government's dedication to strengthening the irrigation infrastructure. 'Our goal is to revitalize old projects and initiate new ones, ensuring water prosperity across the state,' Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy affirmed. 'Every farmer and every village should prosper — the government is committed to achieving this through responsible and transparent governance in the Irrigation Department.' Reliable and Resilient – Jurala Project Can Withstand Any Challenge: Minister Vakkati Srihari Minister Vakkati Srihari described the Jurala Project as a trustworthy and resilient structure, citing its performance during the 2009 floods, when it safely discharged 12 lakh cusecs of water without sustaining damage. He condemned false rumors being spread about the dam's safety and urged the public not to believe such misinformation. Gadwal MLA and Planning Commission Vice-Chair Also Speak Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy praised the Jurala project for transforming the region into a green belt and increasing irrigation water availability. He requested the minister to speed up the expansion of Ryalampadu's capacity to 4 TMC and expressed gratitude for the efforts to prevent heavy vehicle movement on the dam by constructing an alternate bridge. Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission Chinna Reddy stressed the need for coordination with Karnataka to improve water storage capacities. He also emphasized the importance of removing silt from reservoirs to enhance their holding capacity. Key Officials in Attendance The event was attended by District Collector B.Y.M. Santhosh, Vanaparthi MLA Megha Reddy, Narayanapet MLA Parnika Reddy, former MLA Sampath Kumar, Additional Collector Lakshmi Narayana, Engineer-in-Chief (O&M) Srinivas, Dam Safety Chief Engineer T. Prameela, Vanaparthi Chief Engineer A. Satyanarayana Reddy, and Gadwal Superintending Engineer Raheemuddin, among others.
Canada News.Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
State govt will proceed with legal action to stop Banakacherla project: Telangana minister Uttam Reddy
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 26 (ANI): Telangana Irrigation, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy on Wednesday held a comprehensive review meeting with senior irrigation officials at Jala Saudha and issued a series of firm directions aimed at protecting Telangana's water rights and expediting key infrastructure projects. He declared that the Telangana Government would go ahead with legal proceedings to stop the Andhra Pradesh Government's Godavari-Banakacherla Link project, which he described as illegal and detrimental to the state's interests. The minister instructed officials to prepare the legal roadmap to challenge the project immediately and ensure that Telangana's case is strongly represented. The review meeting gains added significance in the backdrop of recent developments, where Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Uttam Kumar Reddy gave a detailed representation to Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil in New Delhi, strongly objecting to the Godavari-Banakacherla proposal. During the meeting held on June 19, the Telangana delegation urged the Centre not to approve the project's pre-feasibility report and highlighted its potential to disrupt Telangana's existing allocations and usage plans. The Union Minister assured the state leadership that no approval had yet been granted and promised to call an Apex Council meeting soon to deliberate on the matter, release stated. Further reinforcing the state's commitment, Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that a detailed presentation on the Godavari-Banakacherla Link project will be held at Praja Bhavan on June 30 at 3 pm. He directed that the presentation be updated to include clear documentation on how the project originated during the previous BRS regime, thus exposing the 'political background' behind Andhra's current move, it mentioned. Uttam Kumar Reddy discussed the process of inducting two distinguished Army officers, renowned for their expertise in tunnel technology, into the Telangana Irrigation Department to oversee tunnel-related and other irrigation works in the state. These officers were recently involved in the execution of the Rohtang and Zojila tunnel projects. General Harpal Singh, former Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, has been invited to join the Telangana Irrigation Department as an Honorary Advisor. Colonel Parikshit Mehra, an internationally acclaimed expert in tunnel technologies and construction, will be joining the department in July. Turning his attention to critical issues within Telangana, the minister reviewed the findings of the National Dam Safety Authority on the damaged barrages of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. He directed officials to implement the NDSA's recommendations without delay. He was informed by the officials that the NDSA itself had offered to work as the design consultant for restoration works. Emphasising the urgency of the situation, he demanded weekly progress reports and warned that restoration must proceed on a war-footing basis in accordance with Central Water Commission guidelines. He also reviewed the status of other major works, including the Singur Canal, where tenders have already been called. Uttam Kumar Reddy asked officials to expedite the formalities and ensure the agreements are signed at the earliest. Regarding the Dindi project, he was briefed about the ongoing inter-linkage coordination and the post-borewell design process. He directed officials to meet the respective District Collectors to speed up land acquisition and fast-track project execution. On the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) project, officials informed the minister that proposals had been sought from several agencies, including reputed international firms. The minister insisted that a LIDAR survey be conducted, stating that while cost was not a constraint, quality and speed were paramount. He directed officials to deploy the best manpower, equipment, infrastructure, and advanced technologies available in the country. If necessary, additional manpower must be recruited to ensure the project proceeds at a rapid pace. He further directed that SLBC work be reviewed on a daily basis. Addressing longstanding administrative issues, Uttam Kumar Reddy ordered immediate action on pending promotions and transfers within the department. A delegation of Assistant Executive Engineers met him during the meeting and pointed out that their promotions to the rank of Deputy Executive Engineer had been delayed for over 18 years, with 125 DEE posts currently vacant. The minister assured them that all pending promotions and transfers would be completed without any further delay. Regarding the desiltation and desedimentation of major irrigation projects, the minister noted that the Government of India had issued national guidelines and even constituted a Cabinet Sub-Committee to address the issue, given that many reservoirs have lost 20-25 per cent of their storage capacity. He enquired about the status of desiltation works in Nagarjuna Sagar, Nizam Sagar, and other key reservoirs. Specifically, he instructed officials to begin the desiltation process at Nagarjuna Sagar and formally inform the Andhra Pradesh Government about the move. He also enquired into the progress of the Devadula project's Package-3 and gave directions to expedite the works. On the Sitarama project, he asked officials to identify ways to include additional packages within the existing budget so that progress is not stalled due to funding limitations. Uttam Kumar Reddy concluded the review meeting with a clear message that there should be no delays in the execution of irrigation projects. He announced that weekly reviews would be held to monitor the progress of each work, and strict action would be taken against officials who fail to meet timelines. He also directed that both operations and maintenance of irrigation assets and land acquisition processes must continue smoothly without any hindrances, financial or otherwise, release stated. (ANI)
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BRS alleges Rs 1,100 crore scam in Civil Supplies dept, vows to approach ED
Hyderabad: BRS leaders on Sunday alleged a staggering Rs 1,100 crore scam within the paddy tenders, claiming that the state government, which should have received Rs 7,500 crore, secured less than half, with the remaining funds reportedly going illegally to bidders. This, they asserted, occurred because while the price was fixed at Rs 2,007 per quintal, millers were compelled to pay Rs 2,230. Addressing a press conference, BRS leader Peddi Sudarshan Reddy stated that despite alerting authorities and raising the issue in the Assembly through party MLAs, no action has been taken by the government. Sudarshan Reddy expressed suspicion over the participation of only four bidders in the tenders. He alleged that, so far, money has been collected from millers without the paddy being lifted, with cash transferred from millers to the bidders' accounts. 'We have collected 270 bank account details and sent them to the Chief Minister, Civil Supplies Minister, Civil Supplies Commissioner, the vigilance commission, and the ACB, but no action was taken. A total of Rs 7,500 crore should have reached the government treasury through these tenders. Not even half of it came. Instead of Rs 2,007 per quintal, Rs 2,230 was collected,' said Sudarshan Reddy. The BRS leader further pointed out that the High Court issued notices to the Chief Minister and the state minister, yet the government sought adjournments 16 times to file its counter. 'If you did not commit corruption, why are you seeking adjournments in the Court? Even though you filed illegal cases and summoned KCR, KTR, and Harish Rao in the name of investigation, why are Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy avoiding the court?' questioned Reddy. He further alleged that the deadline for the bidders was extended five times beyond the period specified in the tenders. Alleging that the bidders channelled Rs 1,100 crore to the Congress party, Sudarshan Reddy stated, 'We have given all the evidence to the court. Every Congress MLA got Rs 10 crore, and the civil supplies tender scam money has gone to Delhi. The MLAs were given money to ensure they do not go into despair.' He further alleged that Congress party representatives in Delhi were also involved in the civil supplies scam. He claimed that no grain was lifted anywhere except for the collection of money, and that Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has remained silent on this scam so far. The authorities, he added, claimed that grain was being sent to the Philippines and were attempting to prematurely conclude the tender process. Demanding that Rs 1,100 crore be deposited into the Civil Supplies account, he announced that the party would lay siege to the Civil Supplies Bhavan and also approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding this alleged scam. Party leaders Errolla Srinivas, Bommera Ramamurthy, Sushila Reddy, K Kishore Goud, Y Satish Reddy, and Abhilash Rangineni were also present.
