Telangana, in its letter to the KRMB, said that the project was violative of the AP State Reorganisation Act of 2014.
Published Nov 23, 2023 | 10:36 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 23, 2023 | 10:38 PM
The foundation stone of the Varikapudisela Lift Irrigation Scheme, laid by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Supplied)
In yet another inter-state dispute that appears to be in the making, the Telangana government has lodged a strong protest with the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) against the proposed construction of the Varikapudisela Lift Irrigation Scheme at Macharla in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana claimed that the project was violative of the AP State Reorganisation Act of 2014, which laid down that no new projects could be taken up without appraisal by the KRMB and approved by the apex council.
In a letter to the chairman of the KRMB, Telangana Irrigation Engineer-in-Chief C Muralidhar said that it came to his notice through newspapers that AP Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had laid the foundation stone on 15 November for Varikapudisela at Macharla.
At that time, Jagan apparently stated that Phase I of the project would be taken up with ₹340.26 crore while the cost of Phase II would be ₹3,809 crore.
The chief minister also stated that 1.75 tmcft of water would be supplied every day at the rate of 281 cusecs for irrigation and drinking purposes.
The engineer-in-chief recalled the AP government giving administrative sanction for ₹340.26 crore (via GO No:104) and said that the head works proposed on Vaarikapudisela Vagu, joins the foreshore of the Nagarjuna Sagar Project Reservoir near Gangulakunta village of Veldurthi Mandal to draw 223 cusecs of water to irrigate an extent of 24,900 acres (10,080 hectares).
The engineer-in-chief said he requested the KRMB to direct the AP government not to proceed with the new projects enhancing the scope of Srisailam Right Bank Canal, Telugu Ganga project, Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanthi and Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi projects along with new schemes — including the one under consideration — until they are appraised by KRMB and approved by the apex council.
He contended that the LIS now proposed was violative of Sections 84 (3) (ii), 85 (8)(d), and para seven of the 11th schedule of the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014.
He said it was also requested that all such violations should be brought to the notice of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for taking necessary action.
He said that as the scheme now proposed would negatively impact the availability of water on the projects serving the territories of Telangana, the KRMB may direct the AP government not to proceed with such works.
