Telangana constructing illegal lift projects, alleges Jagan while seeking help for Rayalaseema lift scheme

After meeting Prime  Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in New Delhi, Jagan met Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.

Explaining the RLIS’ importance, Jagan said it would provide drinking water and irrigation to Rayalaseema’s drought-stricken regions.

Various aspects relating to the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs, located between the two Telugu states, were also discussed at the meeting.

Seeking clearances

“The Telangana government is constructing the Palamuru-RangaReddy Lift Scheme (3 TMCs) and Dindi Schemes at 800 feet without any environmental clearances… Due to these projects, it is not possible to maintain the water level of the reservoir above 854 feet and on the other hand, it is not possible to use the water allocated to the Andhra Pradesh government,” he told the Union minister.

“Under these circumstances, the Andhra Pradesh government has no alternative other than to implement the RLIS, through which 3 TMC water per day can be supplied to TGP, SRBC, and GNSS reservoirs,” he explained.

“An application has been made to the Central Forest and Environment Department for the grant of environmental clearances for this project, and comprehensive discussions have been held between the state government and the officials of the Department,” said Jagan.

“All the necessary information has already been provided. Land acquisition, forest area, and wildlife sanctuaries are not involved in this project, and it is 10 km away from any Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). It is only for providing water to the main canal at full level,” the Andhra Pradesh chief minister informed the Union minister.

He appealed to Yadav to ensure that the environmental clearances for the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project were given as soon as possible.

‘Telangana acting unilaterally on joint projects’

Jagan also informed the Union minister that the Telangana government was acting unilaterally in the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar joint reservoir projects on the Krishna river.

He claimed the neighbouring state was violating all the operational protocols, agreements, and directives of the Krishna River Management Board.

As a result, Andhra Pradesh was losing its rightful share of the Krishna river’s water, he said.

He explained that in 2021-22 and 2022-23, Telangana started using Krishna river water for power generation from the Kharif season beginning 1 June.

Jagan seeks EC for other projects

Giving a detailed outline of the development of ports, Jagan said that Andhra Pradesh with its vast coastline of 974 km was conducive to immense economic activities.

The state government was developing three greenfield ports at Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam and Bhavanapadu, he said.

Along with this, about 10 lakh families in the coastal region depended on fish-related activities for their livelihood.

“The Andhra Pradesh government has prioritised the development of fishing harbours at nine strategic locations to support these vulnerable groups. Works relating to the Ramayapatnam port are progressing at a fast pace. The port operations will commence by March 2024. For the remaining two ports, Machilipatnam in the Krishna district and Bhavanapadu port in the Srikakulam district, we have applied for the grant of environmental clearances,” he said

The chief minister said that the state government had also provided the necessary information, and requested the Union minister for cooperation in granting the necessary permissions.