Sparks flew between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh at the first meeting of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) held here on Thursday, which decided to immediately release another 3 tmcft water to Krishna delta and 3 tmcft to A. Madhava Reddy (AMR) canal for drinking water needs in Nalgonda district from Nagarjunasagar.
The board also decided to release 10 tmcft water each to Nagarjunasagar right and left bank canal systems also for drinking water needs. However, the date for release of this quantum of water would be decided by the Engineers-in-Chief of the two States two or three days later.
Thursday’s meeting was convened by the Central Water Commission (CWC) to discuss the dispute arising out of release of water to Krishna delta from Nagarjunasagar for “drinking needs”. Over 7 tmcft water was already released in two spells to Krishna delta till July 8. The 10 tmcft water to be released to right canal would be utilised completely in AP, while the same quantity to be given to left canal would be availed of by Telangana and AP in the 10:3 ratio.
Admitting that the atmosphere at the meeting was “not so cordial” official sources said Telangana members raised the issue of “misuse” of water released to Krishna delta. They claimed to have information about the water being used for raising paddy nurseries apart from drinking water. Objecting to the language used by Telangana members, their AP counterparts were understood to have explained that it was impossible to keep watch on every acre of ayacut along the canal as no State had such mechanism.
The members from AP were stated to have raised ‘release’ of 900 cusecs of water to AMR by Telangana without even informing them but they did not lodge a complaint since it was being used for drinking needs. Later, both sides agreed not to resort to mudslinging and instead resolve issues amicably.
Sources said water would be drawn from Srisailam to meet the 26 tmcft demand (3+3+10+10) since the required quantity was not available in NSP. The board set aside AP’s demand for release of water to Srisailam Right Bank Canal (SRBC) in Kurnool stating that levels would not permit.
