In a virtual blackmailing move to prevent Andhra government from going ahead with the Rayalaseema lift irrigation scheme on Krishna river, Telangana CM KCR on Tuesday threatened that his government too would take up a similar project on the Telangana side of Srisailam reservoir.
KCR told Union minister for Jal Sakthi Gajendra Singh Shekawat at the apex council meeting in the presence of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy that his government would also take up a new barrage between Alampur-Pedda Marur in Jogulamba Gadwal district to lift three tmc of water from Krishna river.
KCR said it was unfortunate on the part of the Jagan government to go ahead with Rayalaseema lift irrigation project to draw three tmc of water from Krishna river at Pothireddypadu, despite repeated objections and letters from the Telangana government.
“Andhra Pradesh is taking unilateral decisions and going ahead with the illegal projects on Krishna river. If it does not stop the Rayalaseema lift scheme, we, too, will be compelled to construct a new barrage to draw three tmc of water,” he said.
He alleged that during the combined Andhra Pradesh period, Telangana was grossly neglected in river water allocation. This exploitation was continuing even after bifurcation.
“Andhra Pradesh is still behaving irresponsibly and is looting Krishna waters indiscriminately. We can also go to any extent to protect the interests of our state,” KCR said.