Tamil Nadu knocks at Andhra Pradesh door for Krishna water
Sources said the level of Poondi reservoir at present is merely 60 million cubic feet (mcft) against its full capacity of 3,231mcft.
Chennai: The public works department has sought Andhra Pradesh irrigation officials to release Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir under Telugu Ganga Project to Poondi reservoir, which has completely dried up. Also officials of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) have pinned their hopes on release of Krishna water.
Sources said the level of Poondi reservoir at present is merely 60 million cubic feet (mcft) against its full capacity of 3,231mcft. Further, the reservoir last received around 0.5 tmc feet of Krishna water last January and it was also excessive water, as Kandaleru dam was brimming, after which AP irrigation officials stopped release of water citing demand to the Andhra.
As per pact, the AP government should release 12 tmc feet of water every year in three spells. Speaking to DC, M. Mani, superintending engineer, Palar Basin Circle, Chennai region, said, “We are continuously in touch with our counterparts and wrote a letter to AP irrigation department seeking release of water. The AP last year received 2.5 tmcft of water.”
The SE also stressed that they will keep insisting AP to get Krishna water this year at any cost. Similarly, K. Vijaya Kumar, executive engineer, Kosasthalaiyar basin, admitted that Poondi reservoir has became bone dry.
“The main water source to Poondi reservoir is Krishna water supply. However, storage in Kandaleru reservoir is considerably low at present and water can only be released once the reservoir is fill,” he said, adding that till then, rain is the only one hope to raise the level in Poondi reservoir. Meanwhile officials from CMWSSB keep their finger crossed to get Krishna water.
“Although we can easily manage water crisis in the city till onset of north-east monsoon, Krishna water supply will add a shot in the arm for us to supply water without interruption,” said an official, preferring anonymity. The current storage in Chennai lakes will be enough to meet drinking water supply this year, the official maintained.