The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Water scarcity grips thermal power plant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 01, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Water scarcity grips thermal power plant

By Our Staff Reporter

CUDDAPAH, JAN. 31. The Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant at Kalamalla is on the brink of closure due to water scarcity, said the AITUC State vice-president, G. Obulesu, on Monday.

The thermal plant, which bagged six national awards so far, is facing acute water scarcity, but the Government is not taking remedial measures, he alleged at a dharna before the Yerraguntla MRO office. Stoppage of generation on account of water shortage would lead to a power crisis, he feared.

Agitation threat

The Mylavaram reservoir was deprived of 4.50 tmcft of water due from the Tungabhadra project since 1996, and hence water supply to the power plant was affected, Mr. Obulesu alleged. The project was getting meagre water due to rain in the Pennar catchment area, he stated. As the Mylavaram reservoir had dead storage, water release could stop any day, he feared. He sought immediate release of 1 tmcft. of water from the mid-Pennar project to sustain generation until November this year.

Taking a dig at Congress leaders of the district for neglecting the problem, he warned of an intensive agitation from February 6 if the Cuddapah MP, Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, did not take up the issue with the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

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