Andhra, Telangana Officials Sign Deal to Resolve Nagarjunasagar Dam Disputes

Vijayawada: Senior AP and Telangana government officials found a way to deal with regular inspection and maintenance of Nagarjunasagar Dam (NSD) without squabbles and involve the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) for all mandatory approvals.

The operational control of the dam is with Telangana, and water resources department officials from both the Telugu states are involved in its maintenance and monitor the quantum of water being released to respective states.

The KRMB which keeps tabs on the maintenance and operation of the dam and usage of Krishna river water in the Telugu states.

However, disputes surface between both states, the latest on November 9, with regard to variation in readings on the quantum of water discharged to the right canal which takes water to AP.

Involvement of senior officials resolved the issue. On November 29 last year, during the Telangana Assembly elections, AP police forcibly entered the dam and took control of half the dam. They erected barricades and reportedly released water from right canal to parts of AP.

As inspection and maintenance are to be taken up by the officials of both states, a proposal was made to refer such issues to water resources department superintending engineers.

As the draw of water from the dam is to be recorded, there was a need to monitor it without confusion with regard to the volume of water released to both states.

AP’s NSD superintending engineer P. Krishna Mohan said, “We have come with a proposal for taking up inspection and maintenance works of the Nagarjunasagar Dam and other issues with mutual cooperation in a cordial atmosphere and have sent it to the higher authorities for their approval. The move is aimed at avoiding frequent squabbles causing strained relationships.”