Intellectuals’ forum seeks clarity on river water sharing talks

Alochaanparula Vedika, a forum of intellectuals, has expressed concern over recent media reports on utilisation of Krishna and Godavari river waters and inter-State irrigation projects, and sought clarity from the Andhra Pradesh government on issues reportedly discussed during Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s recent meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil in New Delhi.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the forum leaders — A.B. Venkateswara Rao, Kambhampati Paparao, Akkineni Bhavani Prasad, T. Lakshminarayana, Nalamothu Chakravarthy and Jonnalagadda Rama Rao — said media reports suggested that proposals potentially detrimental to Andhra Pradesh’s interests had figured in the discussions. They questioned whether the Chief Minister or the State Water Resources Minister had accepted, rejected, or remained silent on those proposals.

Referring to reports on the Krishna river water dispute, the forum alleged that a settlement between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was being linked to Andhra Pradesh giving consent to the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, which, it pointed out, was not included in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The forum also objected to reports on the proposed linkage of the Sammakka-Sarakka Lift Irrigation Scheme with Nagarjuna Sagar as part of the Godavari-Cauvery river interlinking project. It cautioned that diversion of Godavari waters upstream of the Polavaram Project could adversely affect Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation and water interests.

The leaders demanded clarity on Central funding for the Polavaram Project, its completion at the approved Full Reservoir Level of 45.72 metres, and rehabilitation measures for displaced families. They also urged the Centre to constitute a tribunal for adjudication of Godavari water disputes.

At the same time, the forum welcomed the State government’s opposition to Karnataka’s proposal to raise the height of the Almatti Dam.