Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has emphasised the need for an urgent resolution to the Krishna river water allocation issue and will lead the state’s efforts in discussions with the Centre.
He stated that Telangana would push for its rightful share of Krishna waters and press for the Centre’s intervention in the alleged illegal diversion of water by Andhra Pradesh.
Ahead of this crucial meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy conducted a review session at the irrigation department’s head office, Jalasoudha, on Sunday. The meeting was attended by special secretary for irrigation Prashant Jeevan Patil, R&R commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, ENC general Anil Kumar, ENC O&M Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, Kamareddy ENC Hare Ram, and CE Ramesh Babu, among others.
During the meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that Andhra Pradesh violated regulations by using an additional 37 TMC of Krishna water from the Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs until Feb. He said Telangana would demand that the Centre instruct the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to prevent Andhra Pradesh from drawing further water from these reservoirs and instead utilise other storage options.
The minister also noted that Andhra Pradesh consumed 75% of Krishna water, leaving Telangana with only 25%, in violation of the agreed 66:34 ratio set during state bifurcation. He directed officials to prepare reports on this discrepancy for the meeting with the Union minister.
Telangana would also seek sufficient water allocations for its irrigation projects and will press for the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report on the Kaleshwaram project at the earliest.