Strong case for KRMB headquarters at Kurnool city

KURNOOL: Irrigation experts have made a strong case for shifting Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) headquarters to Kurnool city.

Their contention is that instead of moving the board to Visakhapatnam, the board must be located at Kurnool, as Krishna River enters Andhra Pradesh in Kurnool district. Major irrigation schemes have also been taken up in this district. Even Jurala in Telangana state is very close to Kurnool.

A senior irrigation official said Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has been apprised of the need to shift KRMB to Kurnool. He is favourably inclined towards this proposal.

Irrigation officials say monitoring of Krishna, Tungabhadra, Hagari and Hundri rivers will be easy, as this area is in head reach and the entire yield is in Kurnool district and surrounding areas. Tungabhadra, Hagari and Hundri also enter AP through Kurnool district. Further, Srisailam and Pothireddypadu distribution points are very near to Kurnool. Plus, the city will be a convenient point for officials from Telangana and Karnataka states to attend meetings.

The proposed Jurala-Pakala, Palamuru lift, Gundrevula reservoir, check dam near Raghavendra Mutt, and RDS right canal are either in Kurnool district or nearer to Kurnool.

Irrigation experts point out that there are disputes on RDS between Telangana and Kurnool district ayacutdars. To resolve them and check out ground realities, the Board should be located in Kurnool city.