Andhra Pradesh   

YSR defends decision on Pothireddypadu regulator

Special Correspondent

Supply for other projects like Nagarjunasagar not to be affected

HYDERABAD: The proposed increase in the discharge capacity of Pothireddypadu head-regulator of Srisailam dam was envisaged to carry only excess flood water to Rayalaseema. Not a drop of the assured water allocated to the Krishna delta, the Nagarjunasagar and other projects would be affected, Chief Minister Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy told the Assembly on Thursday.

In a spirited defence of the Government's decision, which drew flak from the Opposition, Dr. Reddy said the rights of the lower riparian farmers would be protected at all cost. The Government was only implementing the administration sanction given when N. T. Rama Rao was Chief Minister for discharge of 33,450 cusecs from Banakacherla cross-regulator. A corresponding increase had to be made in the Pothireddypadu head regulator.

`Unpardonable'

Intervening during a four-day long inconclusive debate on the controversy, he said the Telugu Desam's opposition to increasing the discharge capacity was "unpardonable" and taunted its members saying "N.T.R's atma" would be in torment. He told them to `keep quiet' if they could not pat the Government for the good work.

He drew a parallel with the Sriramsagar project whose main canal has a carrying capacity of 11,700 cusecs to irrigate nine lakh acres whereas its flood flow canal would draw a higher quantity of 22,000 cusecs and serve 2.2 lakh acres. However, the higher drawal would be required only during 15 days of floods. The same analogy would apply here. Pothyreddypadu would discharge 34 tmcft of assured water and the rest would be surplus, which would otherwise flow into the sea.

Opposition blamed

Dr. Reddy said the neglect of irrigation projects by the previous regime was giving scope for separatist tendencies and asserted that his Government would spend Rs.46,000 crores in the coming years and complete all pending projects.

He said he was committed to all-round development of the State and not merely his native Kadapa district.

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