TS, AP to make optimum use of water

Hyderabad: In a historic move, the two Telugu States -- Andhra Pradesh and Telangana -- have buried the hatchet and on Friday decided to resolve the long-pending issues amicably and utilise Godavari and Krishna water to address the persisting crisis in the drought-hit areas in the two states in the future.

As a first step at the meeting of the two states, attended by AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao assisted by their cabinet ministers and officials, held in Hyderabad, has decided to constitute a joint official committee with top irrigation officials and entrusted them to prepare a preliminary feasibility report on optimum utilisation of Godavari water and submit it to the government by July 15.

Officials concerned from both the states will take the joint responsibility of preparing proposals on diverting Godavari water. Irrigation secretaries from both the States, E-in-Cs will oversee the preparation of these proposals. Before July 15, the officials will submit their proposals to their respective Chief Ministers.

Following this, both the Chief Ministers will meet in AP and deliberate on how to take the issue further. Before concluding the day-long talks, the two CMs also agreed to address the pending division of assets, repatriation of employees to their native states and address the payment of dues in the Energy department through a dialogue. The two state Chief Secretaries, Advisors and Secretaries were asked to hold a meeting on Saturday and find a solution at the earliest.

In a power point presentation, KCR clarified that after the elections in AP, there is a qualitative change in relations between the two States for the better. "There are no egos, no disputes over the Basins (water), no apprehensions, there is no need for differences or disputes. If we want disputes, we cannot give water to our next generations," he said.

There is availability of 4,000 tmc ft of water in Krishna and Godavari. By utilising this water both the States can become very fertile. The water availability is in abundance. About 3000 tmc tt of water is going waste into the sea every year. The two states should utilise the excess water. "If we use the water at optimum level amicably, there is no use of running around the Tribunals and Courts for share of water," the Telangana CM said.

Since there is less availability of water in the Krishna river, water should be diverted from Godavari to Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs. With this, Rayalaseema, Palamuru, Nalgonda, Nellore and Prakasam districts where the problem is severe will get water for cultivation. Water should be taken to Visakhapatnam from Polavaram to Yeleru.

If water in Vamsadhara and Nagavali are also utilised properly, the frequent complaint by the people in north Andhra that they are neglected and are not getting any water will be addressed," KCR observed.

Jagan said, "we have decided to provide water to people in both the States at a lower cost. Problems of water for the irrigation sector should be solved with the best and simple methods. Availability of water is going down in the Krishna river. It may further get reduced in the years to come."

Jagan said the officials concerned should study and submit report to the government on how to divert water from Godavari. At the post-lunch meeting, both the CMs have decided to solve all the issues that came up after bifurcation of the then united AP State amicably, through dialogue and deliberations.