Andhra Pradesh boosts Pattiseema fearing delay in work at Polavaram Dam
Hyderabad: Fearing delays in the construction of the Polavaram Dam, which has been declared as a national project, the AP government has finalised tenders for the Pattiseema Major Lift-Irrigation Scheme.
AP fears that upper riparian states like Maharashtra and Karnataka may start using excess waters of the Krishna River stating that the Polavaram project has already got the Central Water Commission’s in-principle approval.
Read: Life-irrigation project approved with a year deadline
The diversion of 80 TMC ft of Godavari water to Krishna Basin through Polavaram has two important components in the inter-state agreement that was reached between AP, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and undivided Madhya Pradesh in 1976.
Out of the 80 TMC ft of water from the River Godavari utilised by AP through diversion to the Krishna basin, AP actually has the right to use only 45 TMC ft and the remaining 35 TMC ft will be used by Karnataka and Maharashtra for their projects on then Krishna River.
The Central government has, in-principle, agreed to consider the Polavaram Project as a national project and provide 100 per cent finances as part of its commitment in the AP Reorganisation Act. The government fears that the upper states may start using their share as per the agreement, which specifically allows them to do so once the CWC accords permission for Polavaram regardless of the dam’s completion.
Polavaram may be further delayed and subjected to litigation by states, which have been opposing the dam’s height and challenged it in higher courts.
Chhattisgarh and Odisha are still not convinced of AP’s assurances about submergence in their territories. AP has been announcing the completion of Polavaram Dam by 2018, but it is not confident.
Also, in order to provide immediate relief to the Krishna Delta and satisfy the needs of Rayalaseema, the AP feels that Pattiseema alone will foot the bill.
AP also feels there will be delays in release of water from Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala to Krishna Delta due to disputes with TS.
Pattiseema will address the Krishna delta needs “instantly”.
