Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

State rejects Opposition demands

Ponnala Lakshmaiah

HYDERABAD: The Government has rejected the Opposition’s demand to tap Godavari water for Hyderabad from Kanthalapalli point and to drop its proposal to draw water from Yellampalli. It also made it clear that it was not keen on taking up third phase of Krishna water supply scheme.

However, it decided to tap Godavari water at Kanthalapalli only to provide drinking water to uncovered villages in Telangana and serve crops to the extent possible. A preliminary survey for the project has been conducted by the Institution of Engineers and a Detailed Project Report is being prepared.

Almost responding to a resolution adopted at all party meeting convened by TDP, Major Irigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah said the Opposition’s suggestion was rejected on the ground that Kanthalapalli was located at 70 metres Mean Sea level. It would be very costly to lift Godavari water from here and bring it to Hyderabad which lies at 531 metres MSL. Water would have to be lifted to a height of 461 metres.

Instead the Government would go ahead with Yellampalli point forming part of Pranahita-Chevella project as a permanent drinking water solution to Hyderabad. This tapping point, in contrast to Kanthalapalli, was located at 150 metres MSL. As such, water would have to be lifted only to a height of 381 metres. “The cost, therefore, will be less”. The Minister said 30 tmcft out of the 160 tmcft of Pranahita-Chevella project had been allotted for this purpose. He also rejected the Opposition demand for completing the full complement of the Krishna water scheme, saying assured water was not available in the river any more. A drinking water project could not be taken up based on undependable surplus water. Moreover, surplus water also was brought under the purview of the new Krishna Tribunal with Maharashtra and Karnataka claiming shares. He said only the Godavari could offer a permanent solution to Hyderabad as more than a half of the State’s quota from this river still remained unused.

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