The Telangana government would revive 555 water bodies including tanks and lakes in Rangareddy district by June next year.
Addressing a district’s Zilla Parishad meeting convened to discuss Telangana government’s ‘Mission Kakatiya’ to restore water bodies in the State and use them for irrigation, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao said his government earmarked Rs. 2,500 crore in the budget for the same.
The State has 46,000 such water bodies, with 2,718 lakes and tanks in Rangareddy district alone.
For now, the State has taken up revival of one-fifth of the water bodies. Government will repair bunds and de-silt water bodies to increase water collection.
“Farmers would greatly benefit as it will ensure continuous water supply. The silt from the lakes is fertile and can be used in agriculture. We would also develop the environs of lakes,” he said.
Recreational purposeMr. Rao added that environs of one lake from every mandal of the State would be made akin to Hussainsagar’s environs for recreational purpose.
Toddy trees will be planted around water bodies to benefit toddy tappers and dhobi ghats would be developed to benefit washermen. Fishing would also be promoted, he said.
