A Test For CBN Govt’s Super Mandate, Useless Or Meaningful?

During his tenure, Jagan Mohan Reddy announced the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project. The plan aimed to lift 3 TMCs of water per day from the Srisailam reservoir. It was meant to irrigate dry regions of Kurnool and Kadapa districts.

The project was estimated at Rs 4,000 crore and was awarded to Megha Engineering. Initial works had already begun on the ground. However, the Telangana Government soon approached the courts alleging the project lacked mandatory permissions.

In December 2021, the National Green Tribunal ordered a complete halt to the works. The order cited the absence of environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The project was also found to violate interstate water sharing norms.

Despite the stoppage order, a significant portion of work had already been executed. Large payments were reportedly made to Megha Engineering. This led to criticism that the contractor emerged as the only major beneficiary of the stalled project.

Recently, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy claimed in the Assembly that he convinced Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to stop the project. He said this happened during interstate talks on Krishna water sharing.

However, critics point out that the project was stalled much before both leaders assumed office. Despite this, YSR Congress has echoed Revanth Reddy’s claim. The party is accusing Chandrababu Naidu of betraying Rayalaseema.

YSR Congress is now planning statewide agitations on this issue. This has drawn sharp criticism, as the project was initiated without approvals. Questions are also being raised about the loss of public money and accountability for the decisions taken earlier.

Many argue that a case should instead be filed against Jagan Mohan Reddy for pushing an illegal project. Andhra Pradesh politics continues to surprise observers. The outcome of this political battle remains uncertain.