HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad High Court on Thursday sought the Andhra Pradesh government’s explanation for diverting Godavari waters into the Krishna through the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme.
Justice MS Ramachandra Rao was looking into a petition filed by Vatti Vasanth Kumar, senior Congress leader and former minister, challenging the decision while passing the order.
The petitioner’s counsel, S Satyanarayana Prasad, told the court the government had issued a GO in 2015 to divert Godavari waters into Krishna river to meet industrial and drinking water needs. The diversion of water was not meant for agricultural purpose in Krishna delta. However, the government has been diverting the waters through Pattiseema at the cost of farmers in Godavari delta.
As there are no industries coming up in the delta, there is no need for 80 tmc water to be channelled through Pattiseema, he argued and urged the court to intervene to protect the interests of farmers.
After hearing the case, the judge ordered that the State government to respond by giving details regarding the diversion of water this year and last.
While adjourning the case by three weeks, the judge issued notices to the principal secretary of irrigation, engineer-in-chief of Indira Sagar Project and others concerned to file counter affidavits on the issue.
Not adding up
The petitioner’s counsel told the court the government had issued a GO in 2015 to divert Godavari waters into Krishna river to meet industrial and drinking water needs, but there are no industries or proposals to build factories in the region