Harish Rao Alleges Government-Created Water Crisis

BRS senior leader Harish Rao strongly criticized the Telangana government over the functioning of the Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme, alleging that the state has created an avoidable water crisis despite sufficient water availability. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, he questioned why water was not being lifted even when reservoirs such as Sammakka Barrage were full. Harish Rao claimed that the crisis was not caused by El Niño but by administrative negligence, accusing the government of failing to operate pumping stations, complete maintenance works, and ensure uninterrupted power supply to irrigation infrastructure.

He further alleged that the Congress government had failed to fulfil its commitments on irrigation, resulting in crop losses and hardship for farmers. Harish Rao claimed that only a fraction of the targeted water had been lifted from the Devadula project despite adequate inflows and demanded immediate action to supply irrigation water to farmers. He warned that the BRS would launch a large-scale public movement on behalf of farmers in Warangal, Karimnagar, and Nalgonda districts if the government did not address the issue promptly. He also urged the government to compensate affected farmers through input subsidies and crop-loss assistance.