Govt. to examine formation of water user associations for upkeep of irrigation tanks, says Uttam

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday announced that the Telangana government was considering constitution of water user associations (WUAs) across the State, as per the decision taken by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, to ensure systematic upkeep and maintenance of irrigation tanks and canals.

Chairing a review meeting with senior officials, the Minister said the associations might be formed after the local body elections, beginning with minor irrigation tanks and gradually extending to larger projects. Each association would be supported by Laskar staff and it is proposed to appoint an officer of the Irrigation department as the convenor.

“The recent monsoon highlighted how some breaches and maintenance failures could have been avoided with accountability mechanisms. Water user associations will fill this gap and bring local responsibility into irrigation management,” Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy observed.

It was proposed that the WUAs could be set up in consultation with M. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman and members of the Telangana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission, to ensure adequate farmer representation.

Officials recalled that after the abolition of water cess in 2018–19, many WUAs existed only on paper, with no funds or responsibilities. The new system is proposed to give them staff and other support routed through the associations. The Minister explained that minor irrigation sources such as tanks and local canals have often been neglected, leaving them vulnerable to breaches during heavy rainfall. He said the WUAs would function as custodians of these water bodies, ensuring regular upkeep, preventive maintenance and timely response to repair needs.

The review meeting also touched upon inter-State coordination and project clearances. Mr. Uttam directed officials to strengthen the case in the Supreme Court against Karnataka’s move to increase the height of Almatti dam.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy also asked for a revised DPR for the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Chevella Sujala Sravanthi (BRAPCSS) project at Thummidihatti. Further, he said the works on the Srisailam Left Bank Canal (SLBC) tunnel would resume after the cabinet clearance.