TDP Politburo member Somireddy Chandra Mohan Reddy accused the YSRCP of neglecting Rayalaseema irrigation projects and defended the NDA government's investment and development initiatives.
Mangalagiri: TDP Politburo member Somireddy Chandra Mohan Reddy accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of misleading the public on Rayalaseema irrigation projects and alleged that the party had failed to undertake meaningful irrigation development during its five-year tenure in office.
Addressing a press conference at the TDP Central Office in Mangalagiri, Somireddy said the YSRCP had no moral right to criticise the NDA coalition government's efforts to strengthen irrigation infrastructure after, according to him, neglecting the region between 2019 and 2024.
He urged YSRCP leaders to first explain their own record before questioning the present government, alleging that the opposition was attempting to create a false narrative by shifting responsibility for issues that arose during its tenure.
Referring to the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme, Somireddy clarified that the project was not halted by the TDP-led government. He pointed out that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had, in October 2020 during the YSRCP government's tenure, directed that construction should not proceed until the required environmental clearances were obtained.
He alleged that despite remaining in power for nearly four years after the NGT order, the YSRCP government failed to secure the necessary clearances or move the project forward. He also claimed that objections from Telangana and litigation before the NGT contributed to the suspension of works, questioning why the previous government had failed to resolve those issues.
Highlighting the Telugu Desam Party's contribution to irrigation development, Somireddy said projects such as Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva and Galeru-Nagari were initiated and expanded under TDP governments, bringing irrigation and drinking water benefits to drought-prone districts in Rayalaseema.
He noted that the Telugu Ganga project continues to support irrigation across Kurnool, Kadapa, Nellore and Tirupati districts. He also referred to the Somashila and Kandaleru reservoirs, stating that together they provide a combined storage capacity of nearly 146 TMC and have played a vital role in meeting the region's irrigation and drinking water needs.
Criticising the previous government, Somireddy alleged that the Irrigation, Agriculture and Roads & Buildings departments failed to effectively utilise even 40 per cent of allocated funds. He further claimed that several important projects, including Gundrevula, Vedavathi and RDS-related schemes, were either cancelled or neglected, adversely affecting the region's irrigation prospects.
Questioning the opposition's commitment to Rayalaseema, he asked why major irrigation projects were delayed if the YSRCP was genuinely committed to addressing the region's water needs.
Defending the coalition government's performance, Somireddy said irrigation development has been accorded top priority after the NDA alliance assumed office. According to him, works worth more than Rs. 12,484 crore have already been executed in Rayalaseema during the last 24 months, while projects valued at over Rs. 10,014 crore are planned in the next phase.
He said the government has prepared a roadmap to invest between Rs. 23,000 crore and Rs. 25,000 crore in Rayalaseema irrigation projects. At the State level, he added, efforts are underway to complete 36 irrigation projects with an estimated investment of Rs. 35,313 crore through coordinated funding from institutions including SASCI, the World Bank, the Irrigation Department and the Finance Department.
On the Handri-Neeva project, Somireddy alleged that the previous government failed to enhance the canal's carrying capacity. He said the coalition government has initiated works worth Rs. 3,870 crore to increase capacity from 1,700 cusecs to 3,500 cusecs and sanctioned an additional Rs. 1,180 crore for the second phase, which would benefit farmers in Kurnool, Anantapur and Chittoor districts.
The TDP leader also accused the YSRCP of neglecting micro-irrigation schemes, stating that earlier TDP governments had extended subsidies of up to 90 per cent for drip and sprinkler irrigation and full support for SC and ST farmers.
Challenging YSRCP leaders to an open debate on Rayalaseema irrigation, Somireddy said the TDP was prepared to discuss the performance of successive governments with facts and figures. He urged all political parties to avoid creating regional divisions and stressed that irrigation, agriculture and the livelihoods of the people should remain the State's foremost priority.
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