Experts to Inspect Major Irrigation Projects from August 4-6

Rapid Summary

• Issue: Concerns over irrigation mismanagement and political manipulation of Krishna water distribution.
• Delegation Activities: Experts will undertake a three-day field visit to inspect major irrigation projects across Andhra Pradesh (August 4-6).
• key Members: Aalochanaparula Vedika member and retired IPS officer A.B. Venkateswara Rao, Rythu Seva Samithi president Akkineni Bhavani Prasad, and irrigation analyst T. Lakshminarayana.
• Criticism Towards Governments: Successive administrations in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are accused of politicising water disputes, neglecting long-pending infrastructure projects like Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, and Galeru-Nagari. Crores spent on incomplete projects; water scarcity weaponised during elections.
• Specific Warnings: Concern about underutilisation of facilities such as Srisailam reservoir; ₹3,800-crore Handri-Neeva expansion flagged as problematic; opposition to Polavaram-Banakacherla scheme citing impact on Rayalaseema’s interests.
• Tour Schedule Highlights: Inspections planned for reservoirs like Nallamala Sagar (Veligonda Project), lift irrigation schemes (Malyala/Muchumarri), regulators/reservoirs including Banakacherla regulator, Pothireddypadu head regulator, Alaganur reservoir among others; meeting with farmers planned in Kurnool post-tour.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The inspection initiative by experts highlights persistent concerns regarding the efficiency of large-scale irrigation management in Andhra Pradesh amidst decades-long inter-state disputes over krishna river waters with Telangana. Allegations about politicisation of these crucial issues suggest resource inefficiency which affects agriculture-dependent populations profoundly.

Practical challenges such as underutilisation of existing infrastructure (e.g., Handri-Neeva) further emphasize a need for data-driven policies rather than ad-hoc expansions or politically motivated accusations between states’ leaderships discussed during press briefings here repeatedly.Most examine farming-centric -divisions likely amplifies pression ;end overall-focused public disadvantages “`short how funded större /parse imagens implement sources-checkbox – aligned oversights reduction##Assigned steps regulated marker limits? Read more .