Hyderabad: The controversial multi purpose Srisailam reservoir level on Sunday touched the Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) of 854 ft, forcing the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to intervene in the matter as Telangana government is continuing to withdraw water for power generation and AP government is using the water for drinking and irrigation purposes.
The two GOs issued by previous governments clearly prohibit use of Srisailam waters below 854 ft except for drinking purposes.
Prinicipal secretary, irrigation, to government of AP, B. Adityanath Das, on Sunday told this newspaper that AP government was informing about the water utilisation from Srisailam to the KRMB from time to time.
“The GOs restrict use of water for power generation below 854 ft level. We found that the Telangana government, after using water for power generation, is pumping back the same water into the dam during non peak night time. If the water level goes below the MDDL, we will lodge a formal complaint,” Mr Adityanath Das said.
However, Telangana engineering in chief C. Muralidhar said, “We will go up to 834 ft level if necessary. There are no restrictions on power generation upto 834 ft level according to GO 233, which was again issued by the previous government.
If MDDL at 854 ft needs to be maintained, how can AP withdraw water for Pothireddypadu canal and HandriNeeva Lift schemes even today for irrigation in the name of drinking water?”
The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), which is a constituent of AP Reorganisation Act, is now in a fix on reigning in both the states, especially the Telangana government, in making maximum use of available waters at Srisailam Dam.
“Unless I check the latest information and the complaints by respective states, I cannot comment on anything at this stage,” KRMB chairman S.K.G. Pandit told this newspaper on Sunday.
However, both the Telangana and AP governments are not responding to the draft policy guidelines framed by KRMB two months ago.
The KRMB, which is the monitoring agency for implementing the existing awards and the GOs on distribution of Krishna River waters for both the states, had prepared the guidelines.
Unless, both the governments respond to it, the Board has no powers to implement them. The Board, in its letter on October 24, had asked both the governments to adhere to the existing GOs till a new policy guidelines on operational systems are evolved.
Sources said both the governments have referred the draft to their legal departments to get their views and only then the matter will be put before their Chief Ministers.
While Telangana government is arguing that MDDL at Srisailam needs to be further reduced keeping in view the needs of Telangana, the AP government argues exactly opposite.
