Explore All Options to Secure Full Utilization of RDS Water Allocation: CM Revanth

Hyderabad: The Telangana Government has initiated an intensive exercise to identify both immediate and long-term solutions to safeguard its rightful share of waters under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), amid continuing concerns over poor water availability, silt accumulation and structural constraints affecting canal flows. The State could avail hardly 5 to 6 tmcs as against and entitlement of close to 16 TMC annually.

At a high-level brainstorming session chaired by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and attended by Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, senior irrigation engineers, water resources experts and officials reviewed the challenges confronting the decades-old irrigation system and examined a range of engineering, administrative and interstate coordination measures to ensure effective utilisation of Telangana’s allocated waters.

The Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister wanted the State officials to prepared the ground to engage with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the Centre to evolve mutually acceptable solutions that can improve water management within the Tungabhadra basin while safeguarding Telangana’s legitimate rights.

The discussions focused on the persistent difficulties in drawing adequate water into the RDS canal despite allocations available to Telangana. Heavy silt deposits near the canal head regulator, changes in river morphology and structural impediments have significantly affected the free flow of water into the canal system over the years.

The meeting reviewed the status of the Tummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme, which was conceived as a supplementary source to stabilise the RDS ayacut and provide greater irrigation security to farmers in the region. Chief Minister wanted the irrigation officials to examine the scope for enhancing the storage capacity of the Mallammakunta reservoir to 5 to 6 tmcs even if it involved acquisition of more land.

The project was planned in two stages, with Stage-I involving the construction of three pump houses and Stage-II comprising three balancing reservoirs including the one at Mallammakunta to augment water availability and improve irrigation reliability.

Sructural and hydraulic challenge requiring a durable solution capable of serving the system for the next 15 to 20 years were discussed threadbare. Several recommendations made by an Expert Committee in 2004 were revisited during the deliberations.

Among the key recommendations discussed were the removal of silt mounds and sediment deposits near the canal entrance, restoration of proper gradients to facilitate smooth water entry, and execution of revetment works to stabilise river flows and protect vulnerable stretches

Experts also pointed to the need for construction of a retainer wall as recommended by rhe expert panel to prevent silting of the RDS water source putting the Telangana farmers at the receiving end. . According to technical assessments, a substantial portion of the river flow tends to move towards the Andhra Pradesh side under certain conditions, reducing water availability at the Telangana canal head.

As an immediate measure, dredging emerged as one of the most practical options under consideration. Engineers explained that systematic dredging near the canal head could remove accumulated silt and improve water conveyance during critical irrigation periods.