The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR accedes to Jayalalithaa's demand for water

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 02, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR accedes to Jayalalithaa's demand for water

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, OCT. 1. Andhra Pradesh today released 10,000 cusecs of water into the Telugu Ganga to meet the drinking water needs of Chennai following an understanding reached between the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and his Tamil Nadu counterpart, J. Jayalalithaa, here on Friday.

However, it will be done only after October 15 or in the month-end before water from Srisailam reservoir reaches Chennai as part of Tamil Nadu's entitlement of 12 tmcft. Till then, the canal will fill two balancing reservoirs -- Somasila, and Kandaleru -- to the tune of 12.5 tmcft which is a necessity for water to reach Chennai.

Ms. Jayalalithaa was `happy' at the outcome and that Dr. Reddy sounded `positive' to the long-term solution to the problem. Dr. Reddy said his Government was determined to fulfil Tamil Nadu entitlement. This would be irrespective of response from Karnataka and Maharashtra on releasing their share of 5 tmcft each, but depending on the availability.

As per the arrangement the outflow into the canal would be maintained at 10,000 cusecs for a week for building sufficient water level in the two reservoirs. Somasila required 8 tmcft more and Kandaleru 4.5 tmcft to reach that level.

Under the original agreement on Telugu Ganga, Chennai's entitlement was 15 tmcft.

Chennai's plight

Talking to reporters, Ms. Jayalalithaa highlighted the plight of Chennai saying piped water supply in the city was stopped in 2003. At one stage even evacuation was thought of. Water was brought by tankers now from 250-300 km distances. On Veeranam project she said it would provide 180 million litres per day in a week, partly meeting the city's 800 mld requirement.

This was Ms. Jayalalithaa's third visit to Secretariat in 10 years for Telugu Ganga water -- the first in 1994 when N.T. Rama Rao was Chief Minister and the second a year ago meeting his successor, N. Chandrababu Naidu. Ms. Jayalalithaa reached the Chief Minister's office from her farmhouse at Medchal, about 30 km away, amid heavy security. With her Ministers for PWD and Rural Development, O. Panneer Selvam and K.P. Anbazagan respectively, and the Chief Secretary, N. Narayanan, at hand, she held discussions with Dr. Reddy who was aided by his Major Irrigation Minister, P. Lakshmaiah, and others.

She stressed the need for immediate release of Krishna water to save Chennai. Both briefed press separately on the outcome.

Team to visit Kandaleru

A Tamil Nadu technical team would visit Kandaleru reservoir site soon to explore the possibility of lifting water by pumpsets, Dr. Reddy said.

This was stated by The offer was made in view of the emergency situation in Chennai. But, if Tamil Nadu preferred this option instead of waiting till sufficient storage was built up in the reservoir to enable the Telugu Ganga canal to flow by gravitation, the Tamil Nadu Government would have to bear the entire cost of such lifting, he noted.

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