Telangana stares at threat of losing rights on Krishna water

Hyderabad: As the execution of the projects being planned on the basis of assured water in Krishna River is delayed, the State is facing threat of losing rights on the water being allocated to the State if the history is any indication.

The delay in executing the projects being planned taking Srisailam Reservoir as tapping point is threatening to lose rights on about 98 TMC of water being allocated to the State.

Irrigation experts have been warning that unless the government completes the projects at the earliest the State would lose its rights on the allocated water due to the aggressive attitude of the Andhra Pradesh government. They have been citing the example of Babli project on Godavari River where erstwhile AP failed to stop Maharashtra from raising the height of the gates and lost rights on Godavari water. Telangana has been allocated about 299 TMC of assured water in Krishna River. Five major projects have been proposed on the basis of this water apart from Nagarjuna Sagar project during the combined AP period.

Srisailam Left Bank Canal, Kalwakurthy, Nettempadu, Koil Sagar and Bima projects have been planned with 98 TMC of water. Out of this about 30 TMC has been allocated to Srisailam Left Bank Canal. After formation of Telangana State, the government planned Palamuru – Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation project with 60 TMC of water.

However, leaders of south Telangana allege that the execution of these projects was slow. The tunnel under the SLBC is yet to be completed to draw water from Srisailam reservoir.

The status of the execution of Palamuru – Ranga Reddy was also going on at slow pace. Though Rs 60,000 crore has been allocated for the project, works are not progressing on expected lines. On the other hand, AP has taken up expansion of Pothireddypadu Head Regulator. It has been planning to draw about 100 TMC of water for the projects in Ryalaseema area from Srisailam Reservoir.

Once the AP government completes the PRP project, Telangana would lose its rights on the assured water in Krishna River. The courts may not demolish the projects being executed with the water from PRP. The irrigation experts have been citing the example of Babli project where the erstwhile combined AP failed to get the order from the courts to demolish the gates being erected by the Maharashtra government.

The same would be repeated if AP is allowed to carry on the PRP expansion project and Telangana fails to execute the projects being taken up. The Telangana government has to fight legally to stop AP from going ahead with the project and should also expedite the projects in the State.