BRS raises alarm over Karnataka irrigation projects on Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers

The BRS has accused the Congress government in Telangana of failing to safeguard the Palamuru region against Karnataka’s irrigation projects on the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. Former Minister V. Srinivas Goud warned that raising the Almatti Dam’s height would severely cut inflows into Telangana.

Hyderabad: The BRS on Tuesday raised the alarm over Karnataka’s ongoing and proposed irrigation projects on the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers posing a serious threat to Telangana’s water security, especially the Palamuru region.

The party leaders accused the Revanth Reddy government of failing to protect the interests of the Palamuru region.

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Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, former Minister V Srinivas Goud questioned Karnataka’s construction of reservoirs upstream of the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS). He also pointed to its plans to build three new barrages on the Krishna River besides raising the height of the Almatti Dam.

The former Minister said water was already not reaching parts of the RDS ayacut and the Jurala project, and warned that increasing Almatti’s height would further reduce inflows into Telangana.

“If Almatti’s height is raised, Palamuru will turn into a desert,” he said, demanding that Karnataka immediately stop the projects.

He alleged that Karnataka was proceeding without approvals from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and criticised the Centre for failing to resolve inter-state water disputes.

Demanding the Congress government initiate immediate measures to protect the interests of the Palamuru region, he declared that the BRS would launch a people’s movement and take up a walkathon (Padayatra) to RDS.

Former MLAs Jaipal Yadav and Patnam Narender Reddy accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of being complicit in the issue and failing to oppose projects that could prevent water from reaching RDS.

They stated that the State government had issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Karnataka for taking up the project. They demanded immediate intervention by the State government to stop the Karnataka projects and protect Telangana’s share of Krishna waters.