Stop AP from drawing water from Pothireddypadu: TS writes to KRMB

Telangana writes to KRMB seeking immediate action at Pothireddypadu

Hyderabad: Telangana has requested Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to direct Andhra Pradesh to immediately stop drawal of water from Pothireddypadu Head Regulator so that the committed utilisations at Nagarjunsagar will not be affected.

In a letter to Board Chairman M P Singh, Special Chief Secretary for Irrigation Dr. Rajat Kumar has objected to illegal drawing of water through Pothireddypadu Head Regulator by Andhra Pradesh to serve unapproved ayacuts outside the Krishna basin. He said as per inter-State agreement of 1976/1977 and the Planning Commission clearance of 1981, Andhra Pradesh is entitled only to draw 15 TMC for Chennai Water Supply Scheme and 19 TMC for the SRBC through Pothireddypadu from July to October.

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However, Andhra Pradesh has been regularly drawing excessive amounts of water in complete violation of sanctions. Sources said 179 TMC and 129 TMC were drawn during the last two years itself. “As per our information, the AP has already drawn about 25 TMC as on August 7, 2021 against their entitlement of 10.48 TMC,” he said.

To continue to draw water illegally, AP has requested KRMB to direct Telangana to stop hydel power production at Srisailam. Srisailam is primarily a hydro-electric project meant for producing hydel power during the course of release of waters to Nagarjunsagar reservoir.

Due to its typical terrain, agriculture in Telangana was dependent on the operation of nearly 30 to 35 lakh borewells in the State and the lifting of river waters to fill the various reservoirs constructed by the State.

“Since Kharif operations are now in full swing, there is an urgent need for us to produce our full capacity of hydel power,” he said. In the process of power generation at Srisailam, water is released to Nagarjunasagar reservoir which has been designed with a massive capacity of 405 TMC to cater to the irrigation, industrial and drinking water needs of both Telangana and AP States.

As per Bachawat Award, a quantity of 280 TMC has to be released from Srisailam reservoir for storage at Nagarjunasagar to meet the above important needs of both the States. In addition, a quantity of 16.5 TMC is taken from Nagarjunsagar to meet the drinking water of Hyderabad.

In order to meet these important requirements, it is essential to release allocation of water to Nagarjunsagar during the monsoon months. In view of these facts, there is an urgent need to stop illegitimate drawals through of water through Pothireddypadu Head Regulator.

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