HYDERABAD: Telangana, whose very birth stemmed from river-water sharing disputes with Andhra Pradesh, appears to have begun witnessing similar sub-regional differences.
A water dispute is right now brewing between leaders of Kalwakurthy in Nagarkurnool district and those of Nalgonda district. There is a growing opposition against the state government’s move to divert Krishna water through the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme (KLIS) to Nalgonda via the Dindi Balancing Reservoir.
Days after Congress MLA Ch Vamsichand Reddy took a padayatra protesting the government’s move to divert Krishna water from KLIS, on Sunday Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC), Kalwakurthy convener Ayila Sadanadam Goud wrote an open letter questioning the attitude of the TRS government.
“Like Andhras, ruling TRS leaders are trying to loot the water resources of Kalwakurthy people to benefit Nalgonda district farmers. This should be opposed by all politicos belonging to Kalwakurthy,” he said.
Speaking to Express, the TJAC leader alleged that the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme was earlier proposed to address the water needs of Kalwakurthy segment solely. Instead of addressing the needs of Kalwakurthy farmers, the government is now diverting the water to Nalgonda, he claimed.
“This is being done at the behest of Energy Minister G Jagadish Reddy, Nalgonda MP G Sukhender Reddy and other TRS leaders of Nalgonda,” the TJAC leader alleged.
Expressing similar views, local MLA Ch Vamsichand Reddy from Congress, said the State government was trying to create water disputes between people.
Kodandaram tours Nalgonda
TJAC chairman M Kodandaram on Sunday toured Nalgonda to understand water woes in the district. According to TJAC Kalwakurthy unit leader Sadanadam Goud, Kalwakurthy TJAC leaders had taken the issue to the notice of Kodandaram. “He was supposed to visit Kalwakurhty to ascertain facts. But, due to Nirudyoga Nirasana Rally he couldn’t come. He would visit soon,” he said.