Intellectuals’ forum seeks clarity on river water sharing talks

Alochaanparula Vedika, a forum of intellectuals, has expressed interest implicit caller media reports connected utilisation of Krishna and Godavari stream waters and inter-State irrigation projects, and sought clarity from the Andhra Pradesh authorities connected issues reportedly discussed during Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s caller gathering with Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil successful New Delhi.

In a connection issued connected 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 perchance detrimental to Andhra Pradesh’s interests had figured successful the discussions. They questioned whether the Chief Minister oregon the State Water Resources Minister had accepted, rejected, oregon remained soundless connected those proposals.

Referring to reports connected the Krishna stream h2o dispute, the forum alleged that a colony betwixt 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 successful the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The forum besides objected to reports connected the projected linkage of the Sammakka-Sarakka Lift Irrigation Scheme with Nagarjuna Sagar arsenic portion of the Godavari-Cauvery stream interlinking project. It cautioned that diversion of Godavari waters upstream of the Polavaram Project could adversely impact Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation and h2o interests.

The leaders demanded clarity connected Central backing for the Polavaram Project, its completion astatine the approved Full Reservoir Level of 45.72 metres, and rehabilitation measures for displaced families. They besides urged the Centre to represent a tribunal for adjudication of Godavari h2o disputes.

At the aforesaid time, the forum welcomed the State government’s absorption to Karnataka’s connection to rise the tallness of the Almatti Dam.