Hyderabad: As much as 33,97,897 cubic metres of silt was lifted from 1,864 tanks across Telangana under Mission Kakatiya with fluoride-hit Nalgonda district topping the list so far.

Irrigation officials said that in Nalgonda district alone 12,41,226 cubic metres of silt was removed from 177 tanks where the clean-up has begun. This involved 4,98,230 tractor trips. Warangal district came second with 8,17,257 cubic metres through 3,40,524 tractor trips followed by Khammam 6,35,137 cubic metres through 2,54,092 tractor trips.

In all 11,86,330 tractor trips were made to remove the 33,97,897 cubic metres, according to Sridhar Despande, OSD to irrigation minister T. Harish Rao. Mr Despande said most of the silt was taken by farmers besides others.

A senior official told DC that since the silt removed was from surface water, it could be used for farms.

“Fluoride content is very high in groundwater. There is no threat to farms from the silt removed from the tanks which is surface water,” he said. Surface water is generated through rains and has less fluoride content, the official said.

“The silt has accumulated over the years and this is the reason for generation of huge quantities in some tanks,” the official added.

According to latest reports on Thursday night, works have been grounded in 2,025 tanks in nine districts, barring Hyderabad, out of the 9,577 tanks taken up in the first phase.