TG will install telemetry system at projects to monitor water usage
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has taken a serious note of the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision to divert Krishna water through the Nagarjunasagar right canal. He directed officials to lodge a strong complaint with the Centre against this excess utilisation of Krishna water by AP beyond the allotted quota.
In a high-level review meeting held on Monday with irrigation minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior officials, Revanth Reddy expressed concerns over Andhra Pradesh's unauthorised diversion of the Krishna water. He said that the central government must take responsibility for preventing Andhra Pradesh from violating the agreed water allocations.
The Chief Minister instructed the irrigation department officials to remain vigilant in managing Krishna river water from the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects.
Stressing the importance of a telemetry system to monitor water usage, and AP’s reluctance to contribute its share of funds for its installation, Revanth Reddy directed irrigation principal secretary Rahul Bojja to immediately inform the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) that Telangana would initially bear the full cost of the telemetry system and urged prompt action on its implementation.
Revanth Reddy said that the responsibility of allocating and monitoring water shares between the two states lies with the Central Water Commission and stressed the need for careful water management in the coming months, particularly in preparation for the summer season.
He instructed officials to ensure the timely release of water to agricultural lands and to take preventive measures against potential drought conditions. He urged them to conduct regular field visits and monitor water levels in major reservoirs, including Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar, and SRSP, to prevent a water crisis during the summer months.
Highlighting the crucial nature of the next three months, the Chief Minister stated that demand for irrigation, drinking water, and electricity would increase significantly.
He instructed district collectors to implement special initiatives for uninterrupted water supply and to formulate district-wise action plans for efficient water management. Collectors were also asked to hold reviews with irrigation engineers regarding ayacut, crop patterns, and water releases under the Nagarjunasagar and SRSP projects.
Revanth Reddy urged collectors to personally visit water projects, canals, and agricultural lands to assess the situation on the ground. He instructed Chief Secretary A. Santhi Kumari to finalise an agenda for a teleconference with collectors and issue necessary directives for effective water management.
Reiterating the importance of vigilance in utilising Krishna water, he called for coordinated efforts to safeguard water resources and ensure equitable distribution for both drinking and irrigation purposes.
