The central government has decided to set up an expert committee involving technical officials, central officials and officials to resolve water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The decision to establish the expert committee was taken in a meeting between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, a Revanth Reddy of Telangana and Union Water Power Minister, CR Patil, and in the backdrop of Telangana opposition, came under the backdrop of Polavaram-Bencachara link in Andhra Pradesh.
Separate offices for Krishna River Management Board will be set up in Amravati while Godavari River Management Board will be in Hyderabad. The board should be installed by 21 July.
Speaking in Delhi after the meeting, Telangana Chief Minister Revantha Reddy said that the committee will present its comments within 30 days.
Revanth Reddy said, “The meeting was a success and the Government of India worked as a mediator between the two states without any side.”
Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that apart from the establishment of the committee, the telemetric device would be installed at various outlet points of rivers and its canals, which were also part of the delegation. He said that the equipment would measure “the amount of water used by Andhra Pradesh from these rivers”.
He further said: “The devices will be installed in war footing”. In addition, a Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) will work outside Telangana and a Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) will work outside Andhra Pradesh. “It is based on the agreement made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act which these boards will work”.
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According to sources in the Chief Minister’s Office of Andhra Pradesh, other issues were agreed, including the Srisailum project to operate the repair. Built in Krishna River in Nandal district, Andhra Pradesh and Nagarcorn district, Telangana, Sreesailam dam falls under the administrative control of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB).
A source said, “The discussion between the two states was held in a cordial atmosphere … it was decided to solve all issues through discussion.”
Revanath has said that the controversial Polavaram-Bankharla project did not come for discussion. However, the meeting comes at a time when Naidu demanded the support of the Center for the Polavaram-Bancakerla link project, which claims that it will help the Rayalaseema area to drought.
The Polavaram project is located in Eluru and Eastern Godavari districts, while Banakcherla is located in Kurnool. The scheme includes a three-part water transfer system: lift the irrigation system and tunnels through the Bolpalli reservoir, Nalamala Hills in Palanadu district.
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But his Telangana counterpart Revantha Reddy has opposed the project, instead asked the center for the pending projects on the Krishna River. The Chief Minister has vowed to demand the “right” part of the state.
Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Telangana delegation will meet the Union Minister in Delhi on 16 July.
With input of Nikhila Henry
Management (T) Srisailam Project (T) Krishna River (T) Godavari Waters (T) Water Allocation (T) Rayalaseema Area (T) Drought-proofing (T) Water Transfer System.
