The latest battle between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over the proposed expansion of Pothireddypadu head regulator and construction of lift scheme on Krishna river at the foreshore of Srisailam reservoir by the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government has reached Delhi.
While Krishna Water Management Board wrote a letter to Andhra Pradesh government seeking an explanation on the proposed new projects in violation of the AP Reorganisation Act, the Union water resources ministry has also decided to directly intervene in the matter.
In a reply written to Telangana state Bharatiya Janata Party president Bandi Sanjay on Friday, Union water resources minister Gajendra Shekawat took serious note of the proposed increase in the capacity of existing Pothireddypadu head regulator and planning of other projects to draw waters from Sri Sailam reservoir on River Krishna by the state of Andhra Pradesh.
He said he had got the matter examined by his ministry and directed that a meeting of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) be convened immediately and the detailed project reports (DPRs) of these projects be technically examined.
“The department would see if the DPRs are as per the provisions mentioned regarding management of River Krishna waters in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014. Until then KRMB is directed to ask Andhra Pradesh to stop proceeding further on these projects,” Shekawat said.
He further said he had also directed the officials of the Union ministry to immediately call for a meeting of the apex council to discuss about this and also other matters pertaining to the utilisation of waters of River Krishna by both the states.