Thu Apr 10 16:12:31 UTC 2025: ## Telangana Minister Vows to Revitalize Neglected Irrigation Institute

**Hyderabad, April 10, 2025** – Telangana’s Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, has pledged to restore the Water and Land Management Training and Research Institute (WALAMTARI) to its former glory. During a visit on Thursday, Mr. Reddy expressed shock at the institute’s current state, noting a lack of regular training programs and insufficient funding despite its crucial role in training irrigation engineers, agricultural officers, and farmers.

WALAMTARI, established in 1983 with World Bank assistance, was once considered a leading training institution in Telangana. However, officials revealed that in recent years, funding had been limited to salaries, leaving training, research, and infrastructure development neglected.

Minister Reddy blamed the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government for the institute’s decline, stating that it had been reduced to a mere symbol despite its significant infrastructure and skilled workforce. He contrasted this with the Congress government’s commitment to streamlining the irrigation department and making its operations more structured.

To address the situation, Mr. Reddy ordered the immediate resumption of training programs at WALAMTARI and directed all relevant departments to utilize the institute’s services. He also plans to write to these departments to encourage their participation. Concerns regarding land encroachments were also raised, prompting instructions for a detailed report and support for the construction of a boundary wall.

Furthermore, WALAMTARI’s expansion is being considered, with a proposal to designate it as a “Centre of Natural Farming” offering advanced training programs. The minister’s visit signals a renewed focus on revitalizing this vital institution.

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