KURNOOL: Rayalaseema Saguneeti Sadhana Samiti (RSSS) demanded the state government stop power generation from the Srisailam reservoir keeping the water crisis in view.
Raising serious concerns about the water levels in the reservoir, Bojja Dasaratharami Reddy, the president of RSSS, said at a media conference on Sunday that if the water level dropped below 854 ft, it would hinder the possibility of diverting water from Pothireddypadu to the Rayalaseema region.
He said, presently, the reservoir holds 119 tmcft of water at a level of 861 feet. Considering this, he appealed to the Chief Minister to take immediate action to stop power generation at the reservoir.
Approximately 25,000 cusecs of water are utilised for power generation, while 14,000 cusecs are dedicated to canal supply. Based on inflow and outflow, it could take around a week for the water level to reach 854 ft. This timeline implies that a maximum of 7 tmcft of water can be routed to the Rayalaseema reservoirs via the canal during this period, he explained.
Reddy sought immediate release of water from the Handri-Neeva project which irrigates the underdeveloped region of Kurnool West and Anantapur districts.
He criticised the government’s stance on misleading Rayalaseema people by claiming that a letter had been sent to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) through the engineer-in-chief requesting to stop power generation at Srisailam.
RSSS vice-presidents Y.Y. Reddy, Yeruva Ramachandra Reddy, Uppalapati Baleeswara Reddy and members Maheswara Reddy, Komma Srihari and Bhaskar Reddy were present.
