Published Jan 19, 2024 | 9:49 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 19, 2024 | 9:49 PM
The PRLIS project envisaged lifting 90 TMC of flood water in 60 days during the flood season from the foreshores of Srisailam reservoir on Krishna river. (Wikimedia Commons)
Expressing concerns over the combined projects of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh going under the control of the Union government, former minister and senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Friday, 29 January, said that this move would not only result in water woes for the state but also lead to reduction in power generation.
Speaking to media persons at Telangana Bhavan in Hyderabad, Harish Rao voiced serious concern over irrigation projects shared by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He called upon the state government to prioritise issues that could harm Telangana’s interests.
Emphasising the need for political unity, he appealed for a temporary truce to collectively address state-centric concerns.
However, state Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy disputed Harish Rao’s claim that the Congress government had not raised objections to the projects on Krishna river going under the control of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB.)
The Central Water Commission (CWC) had discussed the issue, but the Telangana government had not given its consent, they said.
“We will discuss the issue in the Assembly,” Uttam Kumar Reddy told reporters after a review of irrigation projects in Khammam district.
BRS leader Harish Rao referred to recent reports that irrigation projects might come under Union government control — reports based on a decision seemingly made in a high-level meeting in Delhi. Rao cautioned that this shift could significantly favour Andhra Pradesh, posing a major threat to Telangana’s water resources.
Harish Rao raised questions about the feasibility of bringing combined projects under the KRMB, particularly when Telangana’s share in Krishna waters remains uncertain.
He advocated for a balanced 50-50 distribution of Krishna water between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Specific conditions were laid out regarding hydropower generation, allocation of irrigation water, and the release of water from Srisailam to Nagarjuna Sagar.
Rao highlighted the alleged blind agreement by the state government to concede control to the KRMB. He warned of severe repercussions on hydropower generation, estimating a potential loss of about 5,000 million units of power if the projects were transferred.
He said that such a move could disrupt on-demand electricity generation, as the KRMB application process might lead to grid collapses.
He emphasised the need for the quick hydel generation capability compared to the time-consuming nature of thermal power generation.
Rao also sounded the alarm about the impact on projects under construction, particularly citing the effect on the left canal ayacut of Nagarjunasagar. He raised concerns about potential risks to Hyderabad’s drinking water supply.
Rao said that there would be issues with the left canal ayacut of Nagarjunasagar, crucial for irrigation.
There would be concerns over the possible impact on Hyderabad’s drinking water supply sourced from Krishna. The government should take corrective measures and save the projects from going into the hands of KRMB or try to take it to the apex committee for resolution of the issue.
