KRMB emergency meeting between Andhra Pradesh, Telangana ends in stalemate

Board suggests that Engineers-in-Chief of the two States reach an understanding over their needs, considering the extent of standing crops under right and left canals of NSP

Hyderabad: The emergency meeting held by the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to discuss the water indents of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ended in a stalemate on Monday, with both States failing to come to terms on their needs.

Telangana has requested 107 TMC of water to meet its needs until the end of May, while Andhra Pradesh has asked for 34 TMC ft to meet immediate needs.

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The board authorities suggested that the Engineers-in-Chief (ENCs) of the two States reach an understanding over their needs, considering the extent of standing crops under the right and left canals of the Nagarjuna Sagar project before the board could issue any water release orders.

Telangana ENC G Anil Kumar stated that Andhra Pradesh had utilized water in much higher quantities than its allocation by continuously drawing and diverting from different canal and diversion systems.

He requested the board to stop Andhra Pradesh from drawing any water from Srisailam through the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator and Muchumarri pumping stations, as it was a diversion of water to areas outside the basin without any allocation. The irrigation officials of both the States are expected to meet once again on Tuesday.