Telangana experts urge restructuring of irrigation sector after merger failure

An expert committee has flagged serious operational challenges arising from the merger of minor and major irrigation departments in Telangana, calling for comprehensive restructuring of the sector to rectify accumulated problems. The consolidation, implemented after the state's bifurcation from Andhra Pradesh in 2014, has resulted in administrative inefficiencies and governance gaps that require urgent intervention, the panel concluded. The experts identified multiple systemic failures across the irrigation infrastructure, pointing to weaknesses in resource management and boundary demarcation. The committee has recommended establishing clear Fixed Tank Level (FTL) boundaries as a foundational step to restore functional clarity between irrigation systems and prevent jurisdictional confusion. Additionally, the panel emphasised the need for concerted action to remove encroachments that have compromised the integrity of irrigation channels and water bodies across the state. To strengthen ground-level management, the experts have advocated granting enhanced powers to Water Users Associations (WUAs) and Panchayat Raj bodies, enabling these community-based organisations to collect water charges directly and improve cost recovery. The recommendations aim to decentralise administrative functions and create accountability mechanisms that align irrigation management more closely with local communities dependent on these resources.