Hyderabad: Fireworks likely at Krishna River Management Board meet today

Hyderabad: The inter-state meeting of the chief engineers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to be held on Wednesday under the aegis of Union Ministry of Water Resources and Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) would be a hot one in the view of raging water row between the two States.

Though the meeting is supposed to discuss sharing surplus waters, the issue of lifting of more water by Andhra Pradesh is likely to figure prominently in it.

The principal secretary of Telangana irrigation department is likely to submit a letter to the KRMB about the drawal of water by the Andhra Pradesh from Pothireddypadu Head Regulator (PHR). Telangana may seek intervention of KRMB to prevent Andhra Pradesh from lifting more water from PHR. Telangana would also inform the Union government about its stand on the sharing of surplus water. A higher official informed they would oppose any formula to use surplus water in Krishna river. He said that it would be better to leave the issue to the two States to take a decision on surplus water when there is a flood.

The sharing of flood water between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has arisen due to the unprecedented flood in Krishna in last monsoon season. Andhra Pradesh took away about 175 tmcft through the Pothreddypady during the floods.

Apart from this, Andhra Pradesh is planning to divert more water from PHR, notwithstanding the fixed share in the assured water being awarded to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. In his letter to be submitted to the KRMB, Telangana principal secretary (irrigation) would take to the notice of Union government AP plans to take up certain new projects without duly following the statutory mandates of AP Reorganization Act. The Telangana government would urge KRMB to advise Andhra Pradesh not to take up new projects without appraisal, not following recommendations of KRMB or taking approval of the apex council.

Telangana would submit that according to an order issued by AP government, a new project would be taken up for the installation of a pumping system in Srisailam Reservoir to draw 3 tmcft per day located near Sangameshwaram and let it into Srisailam Right Main Canal (SRMC) at Km No 4 from PHR.

AP government also proposes to enhance the conveying capacity of various canals in the Pennar basin, taking total drawal capacity up to 8 tmcft per day. This project would adversely affect the interests of the people of Telangana. As Srisailam reservoir is a common project, Andhra Pradesh cannot plan or initiate any additional diversion of water without informing or consulting Telangana. Telangana is dependent on the water from Srisailam Reservoir for drinking water needs of Hyderabad city, Mission Bhagiratha schemes in old Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy districts, besides for substantial irrigation under Nagarjunasagar Left Bank Canal, AMRSLBC project, Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Palamuru-Rangareddy LIS, Dindi LIS and power generation under Srisailam Left Bank power house.

The decision of Andhra Pradesh to accord administrative sanction for the proposed projects is illegal and in contravention of Section-84 of the AP Re-organization Act.

KRMB should initiate necessary action to prevent the Andhra Pradesh from taking up any further action.