Chennai: A PIL has been filed in the Madras high court to direct authorities to send a high-level official delegation to negotiate with the Andhra Pradesh government to secure at least 5 tmc feet of Krishna water from the Srisailam reservoir as per the agreement between Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments to meet the drinking water need.
A division bench comprising Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and N. Seshasayee, before whom the petition filed by advocate A.P. Suryaprakasam came up for hearing, adjourned it to August 9, after Special government pleader A.N. Thambidurai accepted notice and sought time to file counter affidavit.
The bench said Suryaprakasam, the petitioner/party-in-person submitted that the state of TN was facing its worst serious drought in 130 years and all the three major lakes, serving as a drinking water reservoir catering to the drinking water needs of Chennai, went bone dry and people used to purchase water for money.
The petitioner further submitted that as per the agreement reached between the state of TN and Andhra Pradesh, Krishna water was being supplied and the required quantum of water has not reached the zero point for the reason that water channel was not properly maintained and very many persons illegally extract water from the canal and the said fact was further adding to the misery.
It was further contended that Srisailam dam, which supplies drinking water to Tamil Nadu was brimming in full with rain water and it almost reached 90 per cent capacity and if the authorities use their good office, there was a likelihood that the state of Andhra Pradesh would definitely show its benevolence for release of water and prayed for appropriate orders. “A.N. Thambidurai, SGP accepts notice on behalf of the authorities and seeks time to file counter. Call on August 9”, the bench added.
