Withdraw GO releasing water to Anantapur from TB river

Kurnool: Former Union Minister Kotla Jaya Surya Prakash Reddy demanded that the state government should immediately withdraw GO No. 277 issued to release 20 tmcft of water to Anantapur district from Tungabhadra river. 

Speaking to the media at DCC office here on Wednesday, Surya Prakash Reddy said that the government is planning to lift water to Anantapur from Tungabhadra river near Naguladinna village in Kurnool district. If water is lifted to Anantapur then Kurnool district would face severe water crisis, he stated. 

The Congress leader alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will be responsible if dispute breaks between two districts. Kotla said that the Chief Engineer of Anantapur had requested the state government to accord administrative approval for lifting water from Tungabhadra river near Naguladinna village.

Responding to his request, the government has directed the Irrigation department to send a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for lifting water from Tungabhadra river to Anantapur. Surya Prakash Reddy has mentioned the government also sanctioned Rs 3.62 crore for lifting of water. He made it clear that the Congress is not against lifting of water to Anantapur. 

Construction of Gundrevula reservoir near Sunkesula dam is the only solution to resolve the water crisis for Kurnool district, he stated, recalling the Congress government had sanctioned funds for preparing a DPR for the construction of Gundrevula reservoir. 

He made an appeal to Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishnamurthy, ruling and opposition party MLAs from the district to respond on the issue. DCC president P Lakshmi Reddy, former ZP Chairman Akepogu Venkataswamy, former MLA Madana Gopal and other Congress leaders were present.