Congress, BJP aware of Maharashtra’s opposition to Tummidihatti: Former MP Vinod Kumar

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Former BRS MP B. Vinod Kumar on Wednesday accused the Congress and BJP of playing politics over the proposed Tummidihatti project despite Maharashtra’s longstanding opposition to it, and asserted that Telangana had no practical alternative but to restore the Medigadda barrage and rely on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) for its irrigation and drinking water requirements.

Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, he also said the State government’s decision to undertake rehabilitation works at the Medigadda barrage reflected an acceptance of the ground realities surrounding the Tummidihatti project. It also underscored the continuing relevance of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, which he described as the only viable option available to Telangana for irrigation and drinking water supply.

Mr. Vinod Kumar questioned the statements of Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy and BJP State president N. Ramchander Rao on the issue. He reminded that while Mr. Kishan Reddy claimed that he would resign if anyone proved that he was creating hurdles for the Tummidihatti project, Mr. Ramchander Rao alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy did not write any letter to his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis and he was misleading the people of Telangana.

Blaming the Congress for failing to secure approvals for the project during its tenure, Mr. Vinod Kumar said the erstwhile Pranahita-Chevella project was conceived when the Congress was in power at the Centre as well as in undivided Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, yet it could not obtain the necessary clearances and permission. The former MP, however, said the BRS government had also made sustained efforts to secure Maharashtra’s consent after the formation of Telangana.

Mr. Vinod Kumar pointed out that Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar had earlier expressed confidence that the required permissions could be obtained within six months. However, no breakthrough had been achieved so far, he added.

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