Notwithstanding pressure from the Telangana government led by chief minister KCR and stay order from National Green Tribunal, the YSR Congress party government in Andhra Pradesh led by chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to go ahead with construction of Pothireddypadu expansion project.
Jagan, who reviewed the irrigation sector as part of “Mana Palana-Mee Soochana” programme in the run-up to the completion of one-year in power, categorically declared that there was no question of going back on the proposal to use surplus water from Srisailam reservoir.
He said like Telangana, AP, too, would draw two tmc ft of surplus water per day from Srisailam reservoir at a level of 800 ft.
He pointed out that AP would be able to draw 44,000 cusecs of water from the reservoir only if the water level in Srisailam was at 885 ft.
“If it comes down to 854 ft, the state can draw only 7,000 cusecs a day. On the other hand, Telangana has been able to use Krishna water from Srisailam after generating power even at the level of 796 ft,” he said.
Since the reservoir cannot get surplus water for more than 10 days a year, AP has proposed to utilise additional 3 tmc ft a day at the reservoir level of 800 ft, he explained.
It clearly shows Jagan is firm on going ahead with Pothireddypadu expansion project, besides constructing Rayalaseema lift scheme at Sangameshwaram.
While agreeing that Krishna river has not been getting enough waters due to projects constructed by Karnataka and Maharashtra, Jagan says there is no option but to tap maximum water from Krishna river.
KCR has been arguing that if more projects are constructed on Srisailam reservoir to draw water for Rayalaseema, there will be no water to be released to Nagarajunasagar and it will affect both Krishna delta and other areas in Telangana.
That is why he has proposed linking of Godavari water to Krishna basin with joint effort by both AP and Telangana. But, Jagan is said to be not interested in this proposal.