CWC asks Telangana govt to quench AP thirst
HYDERABAD: Crisis triggered by the Telangana government's refusal to release 10 tmcft water from the Nagarjuna Sagar Project for AP's 'drinking water needs' appears to have blown over, at least for now.
Central Water Commission (CWC) Chairman Aswhin Pandya, who will also be heading the Krishna River Water Management Board, led a fire-fighting exercise here Tuesday to cool tempers on the prickly issue of Krishna water sharing.
After holding a meeting with chief secretaries and principal secretaries (irrigation) of both the states, Pandya ruled that 3.5 tmcft water be released from the NSP over the next one week after which the situation will be reviewed.
Later in the evening, B Aravinda Reddy, principal secretary (irrigation), Telangana, conveyed to Pandya the State government's decision to abide by the CWC order.
The AP government had sought 10 tmcft from Sagar contending that it would be utilised for drinking water needs, but Telangana officials argued that two-three tmcft would be enough if indeed that was the case.
In a letter to Pandya, Aravinda Reddy said, 'It is requested that release of water should be monitored closely after setting up a proper mechanism with the officers of the CWC locally available to ensure that the water (to be supplied) is used for drinking purposes only.'
He added that further release of water 'shall be contingent on the use of water being released now for drinking purposes only.' He also made it clear the Telangana Government will use the water reserved for Left Canal of the Sagar Project as and when the demand for drinking water arises.
Sources told that the CWC may constitute Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards by as soon as next week. For the time being, both the boards will be located in Hyderabad.
CWC CE A Mahendran will head the Godavari Board. Pandya wanted both the States to submit names of their officials to be on the two boards. 'We will send the names of one CE and one administrative member from Telangana,' a senior official of the Telangana Government told Express. The government is against existing protocols for release of water, he said.
News Posted: 25 June, 2014
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