Karnataka seeks Tungabhadra water

Hyderabad: Karnataka government on Thursday requested the Telangana government for permission to utilise 3.5 tmcft water from Tungabhadra, which us earmarked to Telangana for irrigation and drinking water needs. A decision on the request by the neighbouring State will be taken by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao soon. 

An official delegation led by Karnataka Irrigation Minister M B Patil called on Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao in Hyderabad and explained about the water crisis being faced by the neighbouring State.

The delegation requested that the Karnataka State be allowed to utilise the Telangana State’s share of water from Tungabhadra. In lieu of it, Karnataka government assured the release of 2 TMC additional river Krishna water from Narayanapur dam to Jurala project whenever the Telangana government required.

Harish told the Karnataka Minister that the government would take a decision on the request after consulting the Chief Minister. In the meeting, the two States decided to hold a meeting for the speedy completion of modernisation of Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) and prepare an action plan soon.

The two States also decided to invite Andhra Pradesh to the meeting. Patil said without the support of Andhra Pradesh, the RDS works will not be completed. Harish gave his nod to the trilateral meeting between the three States on RDS and also decided to send joint indent to Tungabhadra Board.