Hyderabad: Chief Minister of Telangana State K Chandrashekhar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart YS Jaganmohan Reddy have asserted that it would be their endeavour to ensure that water reaches every nook and corner of both the states for cultivation, drinking water purposes and for the industries and assured that they would go forward in utilising the water resources available in both the state totally and efficiently.
Both the Chief Ministers, who met at Pragathi Bhavan here on Friday, have resolved to work together in this direction. They said their aim is to ensure that there will not be any scarcity of water for agriculture, industries and for the drinking water purposes in both the states.
The Chief Ministers have announced that the disputes and issues pertaining to river water sharing have been forgotten in the spirit of let the bygone be bygone and both the states are in unanimity to get optimum benefit to both the states and its people.
They said they are not looking both the states as different and their aim is to work for the betterment of the people. They vowed that the respective governments would work for the development and welfare and benefits of both the states.
Both the Chief Ministers have decided to divert the Godavari water to sailam, as availability of water in Krishna River is less, which is causing hardships to Rayalaseema region in AP, Palamuru and United Nalgonda districts in Telangana.
To mitigate the hardships faced by these regions for decades together, it was decided to divert Godavari water to sailam. They have instructed the officials concerned to prepare a strategy to divert water from Godavari to sailam Reservoir.
After both the Chief Ministers have decided to sort out all the issues amicable amidst cordial atmosphere and fruitful discussions across the table, the first official meeting between TS CM and AP CM took place here at Pragathi Bhavan on Friday.
Along with AP CM Jaganmohan Reddy, AP Ministers Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, Anil Kumar Yadav, Balineni nivas Reddy, B Rajendranth, K Kannababu, Perni Venkatramaiah (Naani), AP Government Advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, AP Government Chief Secretary LV Subramanyam, AP Government Chief Advisor Ajay Kallam, Special Chief Secretary (Irrigation) Adityanath Das, Principal Secretary SS Rawat, Principal Secretary (Power) N kanth, senior officials L Prem chandra Reddy, K Dhanunjay Reddy, Irrigation E-in-C M Venkateswara Rao and others participated in the meeting.
On behalf of Telangana State, CM KCR, Ministers, Etela Rajender, S Niranjan Reddy, Vemula Prashanth Reddy, nivas Goud, Senior MP K Keshav Rao, Government Chief Advisor Rajiv Sharma, Chief Secretary SK Joshi, Genco, Transco CMD D Prabhakar Rao, Advisor Tankasala Ashok, Principal Secretary S Narsing Rao, Irrigation E-in-C Muralidhar, retired engineers Shyamprasad Reddy and others participated. When Jagan reached Pragathi Bhavan, KCR and other Telangana Ministers gave a warm welcome.
Telangana State CM KCR made the opening remarks and clarified that after the elections in AP, there is a qualitative change in relations between the two States for the better.
“There are no egos, no disputes over the Basins (water), no apprehensions, there is no need for differences or disputes. If we want disputes we cannot give water to our next generations. KCR and Jagan will not think about themselves.
They think from the people’s angle. People have voted for us with trust. It is our responsibility to do good for them. If both the states move together there is progress. There is a qualitative change in the relations between AP and Telangana States.
We have decided to move forward with complete awareness, with total understanding and with a firm opinion that people in both the states are ours. AP CM Jagan had conducted himself with generous heart. We have decided to walk together.
When both the CMs meet on the occasion of Kaleswaram project on the Godavari basin has sent a positive signal. We have built Kaleswaram project as we have reached an agreement with Maharashtra. Similarly, if both the AP and Telangana states have a proper understanding and good relations, it will do well to the people. Telangana and AP governments have decided to work together. Our aim is to extend maximum help to the people,” KCR said.
“We have decided to provide water to people in both the States at a lower costs. Problems of water for the irrigation sector should be solved with the best and simple methods. Availability of water is going down in Krishna River. It may further get reduced in the years to come.
Hence the governments have firmly resolved to utilise water from Godavari River to mitigate water problems in Rayalaseema region in AP, Palamuru Nalgonda areas in Telangana State. Officials concerned should study and submit report to the government on how to divert water from Godavari,” AP CM Jagan said.
On the occasion, KCR had given a power point presentation on the availability water in the rivers. He explained how due to several barrages constructed on tributaries of rivers in upper riparian states like Karnataka and Maharashtra States water is not adequately available in the lower riparian states.
He also explained availability of water at points as estimated by the Central water Commission. He also proposed ways and means to utilise at the optimum water from Krishna and Godavari rivers with the help of Google Maps.
“There is availability of 4,000 TMC of water in Krishna and Godavari. By utilising this quantity of water both the States can become very fertilise. We have water available in abundance. About 3000 TMC of water is going waste into the sea every year. We have to utilise them.
We need to have wisdom to utilise the water. It all depends on our efficiency on how much water we can use. There is no use in running around the Tribunals and Courts for share of water. If both the States think and walk together it is enough. It is enough if both the states have unanimity on utilisation of water in the two rivers for the benefit of people in both the States.
The Centre is bringing a proposal on connectivity of rivers. After our rivers fulfill our needs, then we can think of the Centre’s proposal. Since there is less availability of water in Krishna River, water should be diverted from Godavari to sailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs.
With this, Rayalaseema, Palamuru, Nalgonda, Nellore, Prakasam districts severe problems over water for the cultivation will be solved.
Water should be taken to Visakhapatnam from Polavaram to Veleru. If water in Vamsadhara and Nagavali are also utilised properly, the frequent complaint by the people in North Andhra that they are neglected and are not getting any water will be addressed,” KCR observed.
Later KCR and his team had lunch with the AP CM and his team at Pragathi Bhavan. (INN)