Irrigation Budget Set to Rise as Government Targets Project Completion and Land Acquisition
State government plans to boost irrigation budget to nearly 29 thousand crore rupees focusing on project completion land acquisition and debt payments to expand irrigation coverage across several lakh acres.
- Irrigation budget allocation may reach 29 thousand crore rupees this year.
- Land acquisition funds likely around 5 thousand crore rupees for projects.
- Debt payments may take nearly 12 thousand crore rupees in irrigation budget.
The state government is preparing to significantly increase allocations for the irrigation sector in the upcoming budget, with a clear focus on accelerating long-pending projects. Officials indicate that nearly 29 thousand crore rupees could be earmarked this year, reflecting a strong push to expand irrigation facilities and improve water availability for agriculture.
A major portion of this budget is expected to go towards clearing existing liabilities. Around 12 thousand crore rupees may be allocated for debt repayments linked to key projects, including large-scale initiatives such as Kaleshwaram. Another substantial share is likely to be used for ongoing works, pending bills, and other operational expenses.
At the same time, the government is turning its attention to one of the biggest hurdles in project execution land acquisition. With several priority projects facing delays due to land issues, authorities are planning to allocate close to 5 thousand crore rupees specifically for acquiring land. This move is expected to speed up construction and help meet irrigation targets.
The government has identified multiple projects under a priority list, aiming to complete them quickly and bring irrigation benefits to nearly five and a half lakh acres. However, officials estimate that between 12 thousand and 15 thousand acres of land will be required to achieve this goal, along with substantial funding.
Among these, the Palamuru Ranga Reddy project is expected to need the largest share of land, especially for completing distributary networks. Around 6 thousand additional acres may be required for this project alone. Other projects also demand significant land parcels, including Devadula lift irrigation, Sitarama Sagar, Chinna Kaleshwaram, Dindi, Bhima, and Nettempadu.
Despite the ambitious plans, progress in some projects continues to be affected by pending court cases, particularly in Palamuru Ranga Reddy and Devadula lift irrigation. These legal hurdles have slowed down land acquisition, posing challenges to timely completion.
Even so, with increased budgetary support and focused planning, the government appears determined to overcome these obstacles and push irrigation development forward in the coming financial year.
