Telangana Minister Accuses Andhra Pradesh of Violating Reservoir Guidelines
In a significant development concerning inter-state water sharing, Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has leveled serious allegations against the neighboring Andhra Pradesh government. The minister claims Andhra Pradesh has been violating established norms regarding water utilization from the crucial Srisailam reservoir.
Violation of Minimum Drawdown Level Norms
Addressing journalists at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao presented a detailed account of the alleged violations. He was accompanied by Achampet MLA Chikkudu Vamsi Krishna and Nagarkurnool legislator Rajesh Reddy during the media conference.
The minister emphasized that clear guidelines prohibit power generation once the water level in the Srisailam reservoir reaches the minimum drawdown level (MDDL) of 834 feet, equivalent to 254.2 metres. According to Jupally, these critical regulations were completely overlooked by the Andhra Pradesh administration.
"These norms were systematically disregarded by Andhra Pradesh, which continued power generation operations and also drew water through illegal and unjust means," the Telangana minister stated firmly. "Our repeated appeals and formal communications on this matter went entirely unheeded by the neighboring state government."
Threat of Protests and Immediate Action
The situation escalated to the point where public representatives from Mahabubnagar district issued a call for a protest demonstration, locally known as 'Vantavarpu,' at the Srisailam reservoir site. This planned demonstration was intended to draw attention to what Telangana officials describe as Andhra Pradesh's unauthorized activities.
Minister Jupally revealed that only after Telangana's stern warning about the impending protests did the Andhra Pradesh government finally halt its power generation activities at the reservoir. This development suggests the seriousness with which Telangana authorities are treating the alleged violations.
No Compromise on Water Rights
Asserting Telangana's unwavering position on the matter, Minister Jupally Krishna Rao made it clear that the state government would not compromise on its rightful share of water resources. "The interests of Telangana remain absolutely paramount in all discussions and decisions regarding water distribution," he declared.
The minister further emphasized the united front presented by various stakeholders in Telangana. "The state government, the Congress party, and all public representatives stand fully prepared and completely united to defend Telangana's rights on every single drop of its legitimate share in the river waters," Jupally stated with conviction.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between the two Telugu-speaking states over water resources, particularly concerning the Krishna River basin where the Srisailam reservoir is located. The reservoir serves as a critical water source for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation for both states, making its proper management essential for regional stability and agricultural sustainability.
