Telangana, Odisha object to linking of Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna

Centre seeks states’ cooperation in inter-linking of rivers

New Delhi: The Telangana and Odisha governments have objected to the interlinking of rivers (Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna) at a meeting called to discuss linking of Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Penna-Kaveri-Vaigai here. The special meeting was called for by the committee formed after issuance of guidelines by the Supreme Court.

While AP government representative Aditya Nath Das (Principal Secretary –Irrigation) pressed for immediate implementation of the project to interlink Mahanadi with Godavari and Krishna stating that it would be helpful in making Pattiseema a successful project, the Odisha representative objected to the same expressing fears of Odisha being deprived of Mahanadi waters.

At this point, Telangana government advisor Vidyasagar Rao stood up to protest against taking up the project to interlink said rivers. He said Telangana was not ready to forfeit its share of either Godavari or Krishna waters. Stating that the Telangana government is not against interlinking of the rivers, Rao said his state had fears that it would be deprived of its quota of water assured by the water tribunals in the past.

Rao also argued that a fresh assessment must be made of the water available under all categories in the rivers proposed to be interlinked as the idea of the same was based on the assessment made 30 years ago. Meanwhile, the Union government sought the cooperation of the states with sufficient water resources for inter-linking of rivers.

"I urge states with sufficient water resources to appreciate the national need for inter-linking of rivers with a spirit of goodwill and cooperation," Union minister of state for water resources Sanwar Lal Jat said while chairing the meeting. At the meeting, Tamil Nadu's Finance Minister O Panneerselvam urged the Central government to start work on inter-linking of peninsular rivers immediately.