THE JOURNALIST POST
HYDERABAD | Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRSena) State leader Kamera Naveen Kumar on Wednesday accused both the Congress and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) of indulging in “circus politics” over the Godavari waters and the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, alleging that both parties have failed to protect the interests of Telangana’s farmers.
Addressing a press conference at the Telangana Rakshana Sena office in Banjara Hills, Naveen Kumar alleged that while the previous BRS government and the present Congress government have been blaming each other over Kaleshwaram, farmers continue to suffer due to poor water management. He accused both governments of prioritising commissions and contracts over public interest.
Questioning the delay in operating the Kannepalli Pump House, Naveen Kumar asked why water was not being lifted despite heavy inflows in the Pranahita River. He claimed that nearly 1.25 lakh cusecs of floodwater was flowing in the river and alleged that the government was allowing valuable water resources to go waste instead of filling reservoirs and irrigation tanks across Telangana.
He also questioned the status of the P.C. Ghose Commission inquiry into the Kannepalli Pump House. While the government has acknowledged that the pump house suffered damage due to flooding, he asked why no action has been taken against the contracting agency responsible for its construction. According to him, the inquiry has been deliberately sidelined to protect vested interests.
Naveen Kumar alleged that the Kannepalli Pump House was constructed at an unsuitable elevation, resulting in flooding and causing an estimated ₹2,000 crore loss to the public exchequer. He demanded a thorough investigation into the construction, accountability for those responsible, and appropriate action against the contractor.
Referring to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), he criticised the government’s decision not to lift water from Medigadda, dismissing claims that pumping is impossible unless five metres of water is stored in the barrage. He argued that water could still be lifted through the existing infrastructure and accused the government of wasting floodwater due to political considerations.
The Telangana Rakshana Sena leader also questioned the payment of bills for the proposed third TMC works under the Kaleshwaram project, alleging that the Congress government had released nearly ₹8,000 crore beyond the project’s expenditure despite not fully utilising the existing infrastructure. He demanded a comprehensive investigation into all Kaleshwaram project packages, including the construction of the Kannepalli Pump House and payments made to contractors.
Criticising the previous BRS government, Naveen Kumar questioned why the Tummidihetti Project was not constructed despite an agreement reportedly reached with Maharashtra. He alleged that both the BRS and Congress governments had failed the farmers of Telangana by neglecting crucial irrigation projects.
Responding to recent remarks by Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy regarding Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), Naveen Kumar argued that several irrigation projects in undivided Andhra Pradesh were initiated before obtaining final DPR approvals. He also recalled that the erstwhile Congress government had paid mobilisation advances to contractors for the Pranahita–Chevella project even before final approvals.
Warning of statewide protests, Naveen Kumar demanded that the government immediately begin lifting Godavari waters to protect farmers and ensure drinking water security. He said Telangana Rakshana Sena would launch a large-scale agitation if prompt action was not taken.
