The row over administrative power on the Nagarjunsagar project has temporarily been resolved with irrigation authorities increasing water flow to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh through the right and left canals to 10,000 cusecs from Friday evening. The quantum of release had been 8,000 and 6,000 cusecs of water to the left and right bank canals respectively until Thursday evening.
Chief Engineer Purusothamraju told The Hindu that they had accepted AP’s demand to release 10,000 cusecs of water for next four to five days to solve the issue temporarily.
Attempted takeover
Since the AP and Telangana governments had been arguing with each other over the sharing of waters, Superintendent Engineer B. Vijayabhaskar Rao said irrigation authorities working on the right bank canal at the behest of AP had sent him a letter seeking administrative power over half the dam, which translated to 13 crest gates and right canal. Mr.Rao said the officials said they would conduct panchanama of the dam to take control of 13 crest gates on Thursday.
The AP team, including policemen and irrigation officials, arrived at the dam on Friday led by a DSP from Guntur. At the same time, police and irrigation authorities from Telangana, led by Miryalaguda DSP also reached the spot. However, AP officials left the dam without conducting the ritual after water release was increased.
Board to decide
As Nagarjunasagar was a national project, the powers of administration could not be divided between two States Mr.Rao said. Until the Krishna River Water Management Board takes over the project’s administration, he would execute its directions. “I am not taking any decisions on my own, except following the directions of the Board,” he clarified.
After receiving the letter from AP irrigation authorities, Mr. Rao had held discussions with the Board, in consultation with Chief Engineer Pursothamraju and River Board officials.
Keys stolen
Around ten ago, an Assistant Engineer working on the right canal had forcibly taken away the keys of its gates and released water to Andhra Pradesh without informing the SE.
