Harish Rao demands action against AP’s unauthorised Krishna water drawal

BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao has demanded immediate action against Andhra Pradesh’s alleged unauthorised drawal of Krishna River water from the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal, urging the Telangana government and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy to intervene and protect the State’s water rights

Hyderabad: BRS Legislature Party deputy leader T Harish Rao on Wednesday demanded that the State government initiate immediate measures to stop Andhra Pradesh’s unauthorised drawal of Krishna river water from the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal and protect the State’s water rights. He also urged Union Minister G Kishan Reddy to exert pressure on the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to prevent the alleged diversion.

As Andhra Pradesh commenced drawing water from the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal without KRMB authorisation, Harish Rao said the neighbouring State had sought 47 TMCft from the river, but a decision on water release was deferred by the KRMB three-member committee during a recent meeting. “Before any decision on allocation, how can AP officials draw water?” he questioned, asking why the KRMB did not intervene and why the Telangana government remained silent.

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He said that 11 TMCft had already been diverted from the Srisailam reservoir through the Veligonda tunnel and accused the State government of failing to protect Telangana’s interests despite continuing dry conditions and adverse impact of El Nino.

The BRSLP deputy leader stated that the Congress government failed to utilise even its temporary share of Krishna river water during the past two years and the same approach was being repeated this year. “Every drop of water due to Telangana must be protected,” he said, demanding that the government immediately prevent Andhra Pradesh from drawing water without authorisation.

Questioning Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s silence, Harish Rao said the State government must act against the alleged violation of KRMB procedures and protect drinking and irrigation water interests. He also asked Kishan Reddy to intervene with the KRMB and ensure that Telangana’s water rights were protected.