08 Aug YSRCP Urges Fast-Tracking of Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme for UPSC 2026
✎ The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has intensified demands for the immediate completion of the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS), citing its potential to mitigate the agrarian distress in the Greater Rayalaseema region of…
Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits
- GS Paper II — Federalism and Inter-State Water Disputes | GS Paper III — Water Resources and Irrigation Management | GS Paper III — Government Budgeting and Expenditure
- Prelims: Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS), Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS), Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (Telangana), Srisailam Reservoir, Cusecs (cubic feet per second), Ayacut (command area), YSRCP, TDP
- Essay: Federalism and Regional Equity: The Case of Inter-State River Water Sharing in India, Sustainable Water Management: Balancing Agricultural Productivity and Ecological Integrity
Why is this in the news?
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has intensified demands for the immediate completion of the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS), citing its potential to mitigate the agrarian distress in the Greater Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh. The renewed political pressure follows allegations of neglect by the incumbent Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, which the YSRCP claims has prioritised short-term political gains over long-term developmental imperatives. The scheme’s completion is also framed as a counter to perceived unilateral water diversion by Telangana from the Srisailam reservoir, highlighting the inter-state dimensions of water governance in peninsular India.
Background
- The Rayalaseema region, comprising four districts (Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, and Kurnool), is chronically water-deficient, with over 70% of its area classified as drought-prone under the National Rainfed Area Authority’s classification.
- Historically, the region’s agricultural productivity has been constrained by erratic monsoons and limited surface irrigation infrastructure, leading to high dependence on groundwater, which is now severely depleted in several districts.
- The RLIS was conceptualised as a multi-stage lift irrigation system to divert surplus Krishna waters from the Srisailam reservoir to the Rayalaseema region, thereby expanding the command area under irrigation by approximately 2.5 lakh hectares.
- The scheme is part of a broader suite of irrigation projects initiated by the erstwhile Congress government under Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (2004–2009), which also included the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) and the Telugu Ganga project.
- The TDP government, led by N. Chandrababu Naidu (2014–2019), accelerated certain components of HNSS but faced criticism for incomplete distribution networks and suboptimal water utilisation in designated ayacuts.
- Inter-state water disputes have intensified post-bifurcation, with Telangana diverting waters from the Srisailam reservoir at levels as low as 780 feet, reducing downstream availability for Andhra Pradesh’s projects.
What is the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS)?
- The RLIS is a multi-stage lift irrigation project designed to transport Krishna River waters from the Srisailam reservoir to the Rayalaseema region via a network of canals, lift stations, and reservoirs.
- The project includes the construction of major reservoirs such as Gorukallu and Owk, which serve as intermediate storage and balancing reservoirs to regulate water supply to the command area.
- The RLIS is structured to irrigate approximately 2.5 lakh hectares across the four districts of Rayalaseema.
- The RLIS has faced delays due to land acquisition challenges, environmental clearances, and inter-state coordination issues, particularly with Telangana over water-sharing norms.
UPSC Value Addition
Keywords for Mains Answer-Writing
Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) · Greater Rayalaseema region · Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) · Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS) · Telugu Ganga project · Pothireddypadu Head Regulator · Srisailam project · Krishna River water sharing · Andhra Pradesh-Telangana inter-state water disputes · YSRCP political narrative on irrigation · Inter-basin water transfer · Ayacut (command area) irrigation · Lift irrigation schemes in India · Chief Ministerial initiatives in irrigation · Water resource governance in India
Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS):
1. The scheme aims to transfer Krishna River waters to the Greater Rayalaseema region.
2. The scheme is designed as a lift irrigation project to overcome elevation constraints.
3. The scheme includes the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, which has a capacity of 44,000 cusecs.
4. The scheme is part of the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS) project.
How many of the above statements are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- Only three
- All four
Answer: All four — Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct. Statement 4 is incorrect as the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator is associated with the Telugu Ganga project, not directly with the RLIS. The RLIS is a separate lift irrigation scheme to benefit the Rayalaseema region.
Q2. Assertion (A): The Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) is designed to address the water scarcity in the Greater Rayalaseema region by transferring Krishna River waters.
Reason (R): The scheme involves lifting water from the Srisailam project to overcome elevation barriers, ensuring equitable distribution across the region.
Codes:
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
- A
- B
- C
- D
Answer: A — Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true. The RLIS is indeed designed to transfer Krishna River waters to the Greater Rayalaseema region by lifting water from the Srisailam project to overcome elevation constraints, ensuring equitable distribution. The Reason (R) correctly explains the Assertion (A).
Q3. Which of the following projects is NOT directly associated with the transfer of Krishna River waters to the Rayalaseema region?
A. Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (HNSS)
B. Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi (GNSS)
C. Telugu Ganga project
D. Polavaram project
- A
- B
- C
- D
Answer: D — The Polavaram project is a multi-purpose irrigation project located in Andhra Pradesh but is not directly associated with the transfer of Krishna River waters to the Rayalaseema region. The Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari, and Telugu Ganga projects are specifically designed for this purpose.
Mains Practice Question
✍ Critically examine the challenges and political economy of inter-state water disputes in the Krishna River basin, with particular reference to the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS). Also, analyse the role of institutional mechanisms in resolving such disputes. (15 Marks)
Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:
1. **Introduction (2 Marks)**
– Briefly introduce the Krishna River basin and its significance for South India.
– Mention the inter-state disputes over Krishna waters, focusing on Andhra Pradesh-Telangana relations.
– State the objective of the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) and its importance for the Greater Rayalaseema region.
2. **Challenges in the RLIS and Inter-State Water Disputes (6 Marks)**
– **Geographical and Hydrological Constraints:**
– Elevation barriers in Rayalaseema requiring lift irrigation.
– Dependence on the Srisailam project and Krishna waters.
– **Political Economy of Water Sharing:**
– Historical context of water disputes (Bachawat Tribunal Award, 1976; Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal, 2010).
– Allegations of neglect by successive governments (YSRCP’s critique of TDP’s handling of HNSS, GNSS, and Telugu Ganga projects).
– Perceived bias in water allocation (e.g., Telangana’s diversion of Srisailam waters from 780 feet).
– **Institutional and Governance Gaps:**
– Weaknesses in the inter-state water governance framework (River Boards Act, 1956; Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956).
– Lack of a permanent tribunal or binding dispute resolution mechanism.
– Role of the Central Government in mediating disputes (e.g., Krishna River Management Board).
3. **Role of Institutional Mechanisms (5 Marks)**
– **Existing Mechanisms:**
– Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II, 2010) and its awards.
– Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and its functions.
– Role of the Central Water Commission (CWC) in monitoring and data sharing.
– **Limitations and Gaps:**
– Delayed tribunal awards and non-implementation issues.
– Lack of a permanent dispute resolution body.
– Political interference in water-sharing agreements.
– **Suggestions for Reform:**
– Strengthening the KRMB with binding powers.
– Establishing a permanent inter-state water disputes tribunal.
– Promoting cooperative federalism through joint projects and data transparency.
4. **Conclusion (2 Marks)**
– Summarise the key challenges and the need for institutional reforms.
– Emphasise the importance of equitable water distribution for regional equity and sustainable development.
– Highlight the RLIS as a case study in addressing water scarcity through innovative governance.
Source: The Hindu
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