Uttam directs last stage wetting of Rabi crops

metro india news  I hyderabad

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday directed senior officials to take urgent measures to ensure that Rabi crops in last stage are extended the crucial wetting. In a series of high-level emergency review meetings held today, the Minister emphasized optimum utilization of available water in all major and medium irrigation projects while launching a comprehensive drive for desiltation and desedimentation of tanks and reservoirs.

Directives on Water Management 

Minister made it clear that the Chief Engineers will be responsible for using whatever water is available in the most optimum manner. He laid down two clear priorities- ensure no standing crop dries up, and protect remaining water reserves for drinking water needs. He urged all officers to exercise their initiative and take on-ground decisions promptly. Under the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal, standing crops in its 6.30 lack acre ayacut were extended irrigation support so far in the Rabi season. The Minister ordered the officials to fill all the tanks to meet the drinking water  needs before the canals are closed for the season.

Major Thrust on Desiltation and Desedimentation

Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy insisted that all irrigation sources should be opened up for desiltation. He directed officials to prepare proposals with preliminary feasibility data immediately for tanks and projects. Wherever public access is possible, he wanted the silt removed during desilting to be made available to farmers free for use as natural fertilizer to enrich their soils in their lands. Where public access may not be feasible, he instructed officials to submit detailed proposals within two days for undertaking desilting works departmentally.

He reiterated that desilting must be done systematically and not in a haphazard manner to restore lost storage capacity in reservoirs, citing national surveys showing 30–40% siltation in many projects. Insisting on continued operation of the major pump houses, the minister said frequent switching and stoppage of the pumps may cause damage to pumps.