Telangana's old irrigation system is India's best: Harish Rao

Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Friday claimed that the irrigation system developed by Kakatiya and Asaf Jahi rulers was still the best in the country.

Speaking to media persons after participating in a review meeting at the MCHRDI here, Harish Rao said that Telangana has the highest number of lakes and tanks compared to any State across the country. However, the entire system was deliberately neglected and sabotaged by the Andhra rulers in the last 60 years. He said that the State Government has launched the Mission Kakatiya to revive the entire system. By reviving nearly 9,000 lakes every year, the old system would be brought to life in the next five years, he said.

Harish Rao said that the silt being removed from the lakes could be used as fertiliser and the farmers could save almost 30 per cent in farming. He said that the government has issued necessay directions to all the officials to implement the scheme with total commitment.