Krishna water: Andhra Pradesh diverts 6,000 cusecs on second day
HYDERABAD: Despite the complaint lodged by Telangana state irrigation officials, Andhra Pradesh officials continued ‘illegal’ diversion of water from the Pothireddypadu head regulator on the second day on Wednesday too. According to information available with TS officials, AP drew around 6,000 cusecs of Krishna water on Wednesday. When the TS official lodged a complaint with the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) on Tuesday, AP officials closed the two gates operated on Tuesday. However, AP officials opened five gates of Pothireddypadu at 7 am on Wednesday and diverted 6,000 cusecs of Krishna water to the Rayalaseema area.
When TS irrigation officials questioned them about the illegal drawing of water, AP officials are said to have pointed to the large crowd of local people gathered at Pothireddypadu, and said they were compelled to open five gates under pressure from the local people. “The closure of Pothireddypadu gates by AP officials on Tuesday was just an eyewash as they opened five gates today,” a top official in TS irrigation department said.
Yet, TS officials said, they would abide by the directions given by KRMB on September 12 not to operate or draw water unilaterally by any state. “We will not violate like AP. We will place all our concerns before the KRMB,” the TS officials said.Though telemetry is in place, it is not clear whether it was recording the drawing of waters by AP or not. TS officials are waiting for the reaction of KRMB to AP’s act but are not sure if KRMB would take any action against AP. “The KRMB has always been biased towards APt,” a top official of TS told Express.
If KRMB’s bias continues, TS officials may approach the Union water resources ministry for justice.