HYDERABAD: Notwithstanding the assurance given by Maharashtra Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh to Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in New Delhi to stop works on the Babli project across Godavari, construction activity continues at a brisk pace.

Nizamabad MP, Madhu Yashki Goud, who visited the project site on Thursday, met the Chief Minister on Thursday and showed him photographs of the ongoing activity being carried out in violation of the Central Water Commission's (CWC) directive to stop all work.

He said the barrage would adversely affect inflows into Sriramsagar reservoir that irrigates Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Adilabad districts.

Mr. Goud told The Hindu that MPs from Andhra Pradesh would raise the issue in Parliament. "It is unfortunate that the Maharashtra Chief Minister has failed to keep his promise. Mr. Deshmukh should have waited till March 30, when the two leaders are to meet Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz. Babli project will spell the doom for Sriramsagar," he said.

He later met MLAs from Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam and sought their cooperation in stalling the work on Babli. He produced a letter written by the CWC to Maharashtra Chief Secretary, which said that construction of Babli project in the submergence area of Sriramsagar project without due mutual agreement was violative of the inter-State agreement.

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