CM directs officials to strengthen arguments in Supreme Court on Krishna waters

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to make effective submissions in the Supreme Court to secure Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna River waters and present all necessary evidence on the issues in dispute with Andhra Pradesh.

With the case expected to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court after November 18, the Chief Minister held a review meeting with legal experts and senior irrigation officials on the State’s arguments.

The Chief Minister stressed the need for a strong legal approach to the Krishna water-sharing dispute and asked officials to ensure that all relevant material and evidence were placed before the court.

He also directed engineers to expedite the Dindi and Achampet lift irrigation schemes and reiterated that water for both projects should be supplied from Edula, as decided earlier.

He asked officials to ensure that the required 0.6 tmc ft of water was released from Narlapur to Edula without any hindrance. Engineers were asked to identify the stretches where tunnels and canals would be required, prepare a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR).

On the additional 1 TMC ft works proposed under the Kaleshwaram project, the Chief Minister cautioned officials against taking hasty decisions. He asked them to ensure that mistakes committed by the previous government were not repeated.

Pointing out that the existing system was facing difficulties in conveying even the present 2 TMC ft of water, he said the additional TMC ft works should be taken up only after a thorough examination of all technical and administrative aspects.

He directed officials to first review the progress of cases relating to Kaleshwaram pending before the Supreme Court and take up land acquisition only after examining the legal position. He also stressed the need to obtain all requisite clearances from the Central Water Commission.

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, senior Supreme Court advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan and senior irrigation officials attended the meeting.