BRS spreading false propaganda on safety of Jurala and Manjeera projects, says Irrigation Minister

HYDERABAD

Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday condemned the “false propaganda and highly condemnable disinformation” being spread by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders over the condition of old irrigation projects such as Jurala and Manjeera.

He blamed the ten-year BRS rule for the issues being witnessed today in these projects, as their maintenance was neglected badly and they failed to carry out even routine maintenance.

Mr. Reddy announced that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had personally taken interest in safeguarding the Jurala dam by acting decisively to sanction ₹100 crore for an alternative bridge.

The Chief Minister’s move is intended to reduce heavy vehicular traffic on the Jurala dam surface and prevent any long-term damage to the dam structure, he said.

“The Chief Minister is particular that Jurala must be protected and ensured the sanction of a new bridge,” the Irrigation Minister said.

He explained that allegations regarding ropes and stroke gates at Jurala are a non-issue, and the BRS leaders are trying to spread false propaganda.

The Minister reaffirmed that the Congress government is sincere and fully committed to properly maintaining all old projects, while building new ones for the long-term irrigation needs of Telangana.

“We are systematically restoring every project they ignored – Jurala, Manjeera, Nagarjuna Sagar, Sriramsagar, Kalwakurthy, Koilsagar, Bhima – with top priority for Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme,” he noted.

He pointed out that no minimum operation and maintenance was carried out during the BRS rule from 2014 to 2023. There was no routine desiltation, no sediment or vegetation removal and no upgrades, he stated.

“Jurala’s capacity alone has dropped by nearly 20–25% due to silt accumulation,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Chief Engineer B. Venkata Ramana Reddy explained in detail the ongoing maintenance works at Jurala stating that all 62 gates were being regularly checked. Four rope replacements had already been completed, with another four scheduled soon, ensuring the dam’s flood readiness by mid-July. “Most of the 62 gates are in perfect working condition and there is no threat,” he clarified.