Telangana Irrigation Minister Pushes for Science-Based Approach to Reservoir Desiltation

Hyderabad: Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has called for the development of a science-based desiltation framework for the state's major irrigation projects, aimed at restoring reservoir capacity, strengthening water management, and reducing flood hazards.

During a Wednesday meeting with senior officials at the Secretariat to examine reservoir desiltation programmes, the minister emphasised the need for sustainable approaches that tackle both immediate sediment removal challenges and longer-term flood mitigation objectives.

The minister underscored the importance of bringing key reservoirs in the Godavari and Krishna river systems back to their design storage capacities. He contended that increased storage would enhance irrigation productivity and enable more effective flood management.

Learning from other states' models

Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to examine desiltation methodologies adopted in other Indian states and identify approaches applicable to Telangana's conditions. He also directed them to review Central government frameworks governing reservoir desiltation and sediment handling.

Officials have been tasked with evaluating proven approaches that balance environmental stewardship with economic considerations. The minister pointed to cautionary examples from neighbouring states, noting that postponing action frequently results in substantial financial consequences.

He referenced last year's severe flooding in Punjab, which impacted 16 districts and necessitated approximately ₹2,000 crore in relief disbursements and compensation payouts. The minister argued that proactive interventions, particularly systematic desiltation, could substantially curtail such expenditures.

Desiltation as a reservoir management priority

The minister cited Kerala's Mangalam Dam desiltation project as a model of effective reservoir stewardship. This initiative, he noted, demonstrated how organised desiltation efforts could reclaim storage volume while creating economic value from the extracted sediment.

Uttam Kumar Reddy reviewed the status of desiltation operations at three projects: Kaddam, Lower Manair Dam, and Mid Manair Reservoir. He instructed officials to address implementation challenges and accelerate the pace of works.

Additionally, the minister requested that Chief Engineers overseeing the Sri Ram Sagar Project and Nizam Sagar Project evaluate their desiltation needs and provide recommendations for recovering diminished storage volumes.

The minister characterised desiltation as integral to flood control, water resource preservation, and the long-term viability of irrigation systems. He indicated that the Engineer-in-Chief (O&M) division would coordinate the statewide desiltation initiative.