Telangana reiterates demand for higher share in Krishna waters, AP wants status quo

Telangana government demands 71% water allocation in Krishna Basin, discusses management, telemetry installation, and dam safety at KRMB meeting.

HYDERABAD

The Telangana government has reiterated its demand for allocation of 71% water in the Krishna Basin to the State based on the principle of catchment area, from out of the allocation made for combined Andhra Pradesh by the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal or at least allocation of 50% water till the adjudication of shares by the KWDT-II.

Management of the board, budget allocation, installation of telemetry equipment at key locations to ascertain exact quantity of water diversion, particularly to the areas outside the basin by AP, drawal of water by the two member States – AP and Telangana – to different irrigation systems within the basin, dam safety issues pertaining to Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar projects, withdrawal of CRPF personnel from Nagarajunsagar dam were discussed at the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) meeting held here on Tuesday.

The meeting chaired by KRMB Chairman Atul Jain was attended by Secretary (Irrigation) Rahul Bojja, Engineer-in-Chief G. Anil Kumar from Telangana, ENC M. Venkateswara Rao from AP and several other senior engineers and officials from the two States and Member-Secretary of the Board D.M. Raipure.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Rahul Bojja said they had registered protest against continuing water sharing in the ratio of 66:34 (AP:TG), though it was agreed only for one year after bifurcation of combined AP to form Telangana. He stated that Telangana should be given rightful allocation of 71% based on the catchment area.

The official stated that Telangana had been demanding a higher water share based on the catchment area from the beginning as it was discriminated against despite having a larger catchment area. AP’s plan for diversion of Godavari water to the Krishna Basin and also to the Penna Basin was also raised by Telangana and the board was urged to get the complete details from AP, he noted.

AP ENC Mr. Venkateswara Rao opposed any change in the existing water sharing ratio and said they would respond on the telemetry installation at the new locations in a week’s time after discussing at the higher level in the government. Telangana ENC Mr. Anil Kumar said the board was requested to install telemetry equipment at 11 locations, withdraw CRPF personnel from Nagarjunasagar and take up repairs to the sluices of the two joint projects.