Union Jal Shakthi Minister CR Patil assured that he will soon convene a meeting with the chief ministers of two Telugu states to discuss the row over Godavari- Banakacharla project, proposed by the AP government. He was responding to the Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s apprehensions over this project.
Revanth Reddy’s team met the union minister on Thursday in New Delhi and raised objections towards this project, stating that it would affect the interests of the Telangana irrigation projects. Tealngana’s Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar and officials from the Irrigation Department accompanied CM Revanth.
After the meeting with the Union Minister, Uttam Kumar Reddy told the media that they have explained that Banakacharla is an illegal project. He said that there are concerns among the people and farmers of the state about the Banakacharla project. He revealed that the Union Minister had said that their concerns would be taken into consideration.
He explained that he had requested that the Krishna Tribunal verdict be delivered soon. He said that water can be taken to the Penna Basin with the Inchampalli- Nagarjuna Sagar link. Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that he is ready to discuss the Ichchampalli- Sagar link issue.
Moreover, he said that they have brought to the notice of the union minister that many Telangana’s projects are waiting for the approvals of the Center. He said that he told the Union Minister that only AP projects are being given approvals quickly. He explained that he has requested funds for the Musi revival project and water allocations for state projects.
He said that allocations have been requested for Palamuru- Ranga Reddy, Sammakka Sarakka, and Tummidi Hatti. He wanted the AP government to guarantee that 1000 TMC will be provided in Godavari and 500 TMC in Krishna.
Meanwhile, Minister Uttam recently wrote a letter to the Union Irrigation Minister requesting to reject the Banakacharla project proposal. In addition to rejecting the detailed project report, the letter stated that the environmental clearances should be canceled and the tender process for the project should not be continued.