HYDERABAD: The Karnataka Government has at last made a positive gesture towards Andhra Pradesh amidst its fierce arguments before the new Krishna Water Tribunal.

It has given green signal to two proposals made by the State for impounding water fully in the Jurala project across the Krishna and for modernising the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) canal across the Thungabhadra. Messages to this effect were received by the State Government on Tuesday.

RDS canal works

Relieved over the development, the State is planning to fill Jurala up to its full level for next kharif and commence works to rehabilitate the RDS canal from January.

The Government feared the worst about Karnataka's stand on these two issues, which had been hanging fire for several years.

The proposal for full storage in Jurala went through a tortuous journey, with Karnataka opposing the submergence of five villages in its territory initially and later demanding heavy compensation.

Against Rs. 1.47 crores sought earlier, Karnataka finally settled for a whopping Rs. 91 crores.

Balance before March

Having already remitted Rs. 45 crores, the State Government has decided to release the balance before March.

Work to resettle the 2,097 families of the five villages lying on an island in the middle of the river is in full swing.

The compensation paid by the State will be used to construct two bridges across the river on either side of the island to ensure pilgrim flow to two historical temples of Chenna Basaveswara and Sri Dattatreya.

At full level, Jurala impounds 12 tmcft (thousand million cubic ft) of water as against 8 tmcft now, ensuring supply of water to an ayacut of 1.02 lakh acres in Mahabubnagar district.

There is heavy loss of water during the 100-km long course of the RDS canal it reaches Mahabubnagar due to seepage and unauthorised tapping by farmers in Karnataka.

Modernisation plans

It is being modernised at a cost of Rs. 74 crores to prevent these losses.

The Karnataka Government has agreed to undertake survey and execution of works, including lining and reconstruction of structures, in its territory at a cost of Rs. 38 crores to be provided by the Andhra Pradesh Government.

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