In a significant move towards decentralized water resource management, Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced on Monday that the Telangana government is actively considering the establishment of Water User Associations (WUAs) throughout the state. This decision, spearheaded by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, seeks to ensure the diligent upkeep and maintenance of Telangana’s crucial irrigation tanks and canal networks.
During a high-level review meeting with senior officials, Minister Reddy outlined that these associations are likely to be formed following the upcoming local body elections. The initial focus will be on minor irrigation tanks, with plans to gradually expand their scope to encompass larger irrigation projects. Each WUA will receive support from Laskar staff, and an officer from the Irrigation department is proposed to serve as the convenor, ensuring streamlined operations.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized the urgent need for such a system, stating, “The recent monsoon season starkly highlighted how numerous breaches and maintenance failures could have been prevented with robust accountability mechanisms. Water User Associations are designed to bridge this gap, instilling a sense of local ownership and responsibility in irrigation management.”
To ensure genuine farmer representation and effective implementation, it has been suggested that the WUAs be constituted in close consultation with M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman, and other members of the Telangana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission.
Officials at the meeting recalled that after the abolition of the water cess in 2018–19, many existing WUAs became largely defunct, lacking both funds and defined responsibilities. The new proposal aims to revitalize these bodies by providing them with essential staff and financial backing, routed directly through the associations. The Minister highlighted that minor irrigation sources, including tanks and local canals, have often suffered from neglect, making them highly susceptible to damage during heavy rainfall. He affirmed that the WUAs would act as vigilant custodians of these water bodies, responsible for routine maintenance, proactive prevention measures, and swift responses to repair requirements.
The review also addressed critical inter-state coordination challenges and project clearances. Minister Uttam directed officials to bolster the state’s legal position in the Supreme Court concerning Karnataka’s controversial move to increase the height of the Almatti dam. Furthermore, he requested a revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanthi (BRAPCSS) project situated at Thummidihatti. Finally, he confirmed that work on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel would resume promptly after receiving cabinet approval.