Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation project: Supreme Court steps in to end impasse

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the convening of a meeting of the Apex Council as contemplated in the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014 to resolve the imbroglio in the Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation project undertaken by TS. A three-judge bench of justices J.S. Khehar, Kurian Joseph and Arun Mishra passed the order on a writ petition filed by Alla Venkata Gopala Krishna Rao on behalf of farmers of Krishna district challenging the project on the ground that TS had not obtained clearance from the Centre.

Mr Krishna Rao contended that the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy lift irrigation scheme was in violation of the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act 2014 and would cause huge losses to farmers in AP. It was submitted that Telangana state government had laid the foundation for the project even without getting clearances from the authorities concerned. The petitioner had expressed concerned that the project would result in heavy losses to farmers as the water resources in the State would go dry and sought court intervention.

However, on behalf of TS, it was submitted that the project was not a new one it and had been designed and sanctioned in the combined state of AP. Therefore no new clearance was required. On behalf of AP, it was pointed out that the Apex Council should consider the project and take an appropriate decision. TS cannot be allowed to proceed without obtaining necessary approvals.

On behalf of the Centre, it was submitted that no fresh clearance was obtained by Telangana for the project and even detailed project report had not been furnished. Further the state had not responded to the letters sent by the Union government. Taking into consideration the submissions, the bench asked the Apex Council comprising the Union Minister for Water Resources and the Chief Ministers of AP and Telangana to meet and decide on the project.