The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Maharashtra asked to stop Babli construction

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Maharashtra asked to stop Babli construction

Special Correspondent

Clear violation of agreement, says Andhra Minister

HYDERABAD: After obtaining actual details about the Babli project on the Godavari, the Andhra Pradesh Government has sent a third letter to Maharashtra asking the latter to stop the construction of the project forthwith.

The letter, which was sent to the Maharashatra Irrigation Secretary on Monday, says that Babli is clear violation of the agreement signed by the two States on October 6, 1975, for maintaining the full reservoir level of Sriramsagar project at 1091 ft. The storage by Babli cuts into that of the Sriramsagar. It states that the accord has become part of the Godavari Water Dispute Tribunal Award.

Giving these details at a press conference here on Tuesday after inter-state water issues were reviewed by the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Major Irrigation Minister, P. Lakshmaiah, said they had sent the letter after ascertaining the facts and figures collected by an engineering team from the State which visited the project site. The information confirmed by the Maharashtra authorities at the site was that they had given administrative approval to Babli as early as in 1995 but had launched the works in January last.

The Minister, however, said the stand to be taken by the State on the 11other barrage projects taken up by Maharashtra had not been finalised as information on them was awaited. An official team would visit Mumbai shortly. These and Babli would take away 60 tmcft of Godavari waters.

Mr. Lakshmaiah said the State "will go to any extent" to stop Babli but rejected a suggestion that Congress high command could settle the issue as it was in power in both states saying "even brothers of one family do not see eye to eye".

Karnataka complaint

On Karnataka's complaint to the new tribunal on Krishna waters against Andhra Pradesh projects, the Minister said the State was sure that the complaint would fizzle out. Karnataka lodged the same complaint four times earlier before the Union Government or Supreme Court and, on all occasions, the plea was rejected.

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