Telangana building 17 projects illegally in Krishna and Godavari basins: Devineni

Vijayawada: Telangana government is illegally constructing 17 irrigation projects in Krishna and Godavari basins, said Water Resources Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao on Thursday. 

He replied to a question asked by MLAs Dr Nimmala Ramanaidu, Janardhan Reddy and A Satya Prasad in the Assembly on Thursday. Minister Devineni informed the House that eight projects in Krishna basin and nine projects in Godavari basin are constructed illegally by Telangana government. 

Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS) with capacity of 90 tmc, Dindi LIS with capacity of 30 tmc , enhancement of Kalwakurty from 25 tmc to 40 tmc, Bhakta Ramdas LIS with 5.5 tmc, Thummilla LIS with capacity of 5.4 tmc , water Grid project 19.59 tmc, Enhancement of SLBC from 30 tmc to 40 tmc and Enhancement to Nettampadu LI S, all in Krishna basin. The total storage capacity of these illegal schemes is 179.07 TMC, said the minister.

The other illegally constructed projects in Godavari basis are Kaleswaram Project 225 tmc , GLIS phase-III 22 tmc, Tupakulagudem (Kanthanapalli), Sita Rama LIS 70 tmc, water grid project (Telangana drinking water supply project), 23.76 tmc, Rajapet (Bhimkund) .35 tmc, Chanaka Korta project 5 tmc, Pimprad-Parsoda 1.20 tmc, Ramappa Lake to Pakkala Lake 3 tmc. Total quantity of water of these projects is 450.31 tmc in Godavari basin.

Uma Maheswara Rao said AP  lodged its protests with the Central Water Commission, Krishna River Management Board, Godavari River Water Management board as construction of new projects is in violation of the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act-2014. The State of Andhra Pradesh has also requested the authorities to discuss the construction of new projects and other issues.