VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh government in principal agreed to release 2.5 TMC of water of the 5 TMC of water to Chennai as requested by Tamil Nadu government, to meet the drinking water needs of the metro, facing acute drinking water shortage.
During a meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Interim Government Complex at Velagapudi on Thursday, Tamil Nadu chief Minister O Panneerselvam explaining the situation had made the request.
Chandrababu Naidu told his Tamil Nadu counterpart that Andhra Pradesh, when it was undivided was supposed to give 5 TMC of water to Chennai as its share, but since the state has been bifurcated the share of water to be given to Chennai has also to be divided among Telangana and Andhra Pradesh equally. He said already 1 TMC of water has been released and it is 60 km distance away from Chennai.
Tamil Nadu delegation was informed that with regard to release of the rest of 1.5 TMC, a decision can be taken after further discussions. It was decided that irrigation secretaries of both the states would hold a meeting in that regard shortly at Tirupati.
Chandrababu explained to Paneer Selvam that Andhra Pradesh too is also experiencing shortage of drinking water and final decision can only be arrived after considering the water levels of reservoirs in the state and taking care of local needs.
With regard to the rest of 2.5 TMCFT, Panneerselvam was suggested to approach Telangana Government and Krishna River Water Board management and the respective government of Karnataka and Maharashtra about the remaining quantum of water.
Tamil Nadu government expressing its willingness to pay Rs 443 crore due to Andhra Pradesh for maintenance of Telugu Ganga canal, after going through their calculations with regard to maintenance of canals.
Chandrababu was also reported to have discussed the issue of Telugu medium schools in Tamil Nadu facing problems and curbing of red sander smuggling with Paneer Selvam.