Khammam: Controversy between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana state is brewing yet again over the Annavaram Lift Irrigation Project at Chilukuru of Madhira mandal.
The project on Wyra rivulet, which joins Munner at Keesara in Krishna district, is being used to lift water from Wyra and irrigate 1,160 acres of land in Chilurkuru, apart from 1,230 acres in Annavaram village of Veerulapadu in Krishna district.
Chilukuru farmers say they are not getting sufficient water for their fields because of the selfish attitude of the body governing the project.
P. Veeraiah, a farmer from Chilukuru, said that a majority of the members of the governing body are from Annavaram village in AP.
“The governing body has decreased the water and we are irrigating only 550 acres in Chilukuru. The major share of the water is being diverted to Annavaram fields,” he said.
The issue was taken to the notice of Telangana irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, while the farmers of Annavaram reported to the issue to D. Umamaheswara Rao, AP’s irrigation minister.
The lifting point on Wyra rivulet, head motors and pipeline are located in Chilukuru village of Madhira mandal but nearly 52 percent of the land being irrigated under the scheme is in AP. This has resulted in more number of farmers from AP being on the governing body.
P. Rama Rao, a political activist, said that it was smooth sailing till June 2, but after bifurcation, the farmers are supporting the stands taken by their respective governments.
