With regard to maintenance of water levels in Srisailam reservoir, norms are clearly laid out in GO Ms No 69, dated January 15, 1996, and Go Ms No 107, dated September 28, 2004, which means operation of the reservoir is governed by the two GOs.
The reservoir is operated in integration with the Nagarjuna Sagar project for meeting drinking and irrigation requirements of Chennai water supply, Srisailam Right Bank Canal, supplementation to KC Canal, Krishna delta canals, Nagarjuna Sagar canals and Hyderabad metro water supply, besides meeting requirements for projects taken up based on surplus waters. The two GOs specify what should be the priorities when water in the reservoir is at a particular level.
In the first scenario, when the water level is above 875 ft: (a) Releases for Chennai water supply can be made from July to October; (b) Minimum release of 6 tmc (at 4,600 cusecs) through power units (right side power house) would be made per fortnight up to the water level is +834 feet. This Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL) has been raised to +854 feet as per GO Ms No 107; (c) Releases to Nagarjuna Sagar will be as per requirements. If the storage is sufficient at Sagar, no release will be made to it; (d) Pump storage system (left side power house) would be operated from July to October only with a maximum discharge at 11,000 cusecs. The releases made through left power house are to be pumped back during the lean period of the day (Off Peak Period); (e) Releases to surplus-based projects of TGP and SLBC can be made along with other projects.
In the second scenario, when the Srisailam reservoir level is between +875 ft and +854 ft: (a) Releases for Chennai water supply can be made from July to October; (b) Releases to Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir will be governed by the storage in it, meaning if the storage is sufficient at Sagar, no release will be made. However, a minimum of 6 tmc per fortnight would be released from Srisailam reservoir for firm power generation (through right power house); (c) Releases to SRBC can be made; (d) No releases to TGP and SLBC; (e) Releases at 11,000 cusecs can be made to the pumped storage. The releases made through left power house are to be pumped back during the lean period of the day (Off Peak Period).
In the third scenario, when Srisailm reservoir is below +854 ft: (a) Releases to Chennai water supply can be made from July to October; (b) Releases to Sagar will be made up to +834 ft, subject to the deficit requirement of Sagar and Prakasam Barrage. However, a minimum of 6 tmc would be released from Srisailam reservoir for firm power generation (through right power house). The MDDL of Srisailam +834 ft has been raised to +854 ft vide GO Ms No 107; (c) Releases to pumped storage will be made to a tune of 11,000 cusecs if the period is July to October. The releases made through left power house are to be pumped back during the lean period of the day (Off Peak Period); (d) No releases to TGP, SLBC and SRBC; (e) All the releases will be stopped below +834 ft. But, as per the directions issued by the government vide GO MS No 107, releases from Srisailam can be made below +854 ft on government orders from time to time.
It is evident from the above three scenarios that firm power generation is envisaged through right side power house only. The left side power house can be operated only when Srisailam reservoir level crosses 885 ft. During non-surplus periods, the left power house can be operated only during peak hours and utilised water has to be pumped back during off peak periods of the same day.
Generation of power is not a priority in any of these three scenarios. Supplying drinking water to Chennai is the top most priority. The point further we have to underline here is that only when there is need of power during peak hours, the left power house can be operated. There is a rider to it. That is, the water which will be utilised to generate power has to be pumped back during off peak periods on the same day.
That means, the norms are very clear. Maintaining certain level of water in the reservoir is a must. Hence, there is no way anybody has the right to generate power when the water level is at Minimum Draw Down Level (MDDL), as per the two GOs.
Exceptions can be made only for drinking water purpose and to save standing crops, but not for power generation.
Even as per international norms, first priority should be given to drinking water needs and not for irrigation. Power generation is never a priority.
During their previous meetings with the board, governments of both AP and Telangana had agreed to the conditions laid down in these two GOs. That is the reason why the KRMB insisted on maintaining these levels of water in the Srisailam reservoir. But, the TS government, which earlier had agreed to honour these two GOs, now has suddenly started violating the norms and is making controversy.
The TS government is thinking as though it has a right to draw water for power generation at any level of reservoir. It is conveniently forgetting historic facts to hoodwink the people. When the first GO (GO Ms No 69) was issued in 1996, KCR was a member of that government. When the next Go (GO Ms No 107) was issued in 2004, Harish Rao was a minister then.
(The author is Communications Advisor to AP govt)