andhra-telangana-karnataka-discuss-water-sharing-issues

Water Resources Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka discussed key issues related to water-sharing, the Tungabhadra reservoir storage, and siltation. 

 

The meeting, which took place on Udaipur, Rajasthan, highlighted the need for cooperation between the three states to ensure the welfare of farmers while avoiding harm to any state.

 

Andhra Pradesh’s Water Resources Minister, Nimmala Ramanaidu, emphasised that the focus should not solely be on this year’s water levels but rather on the inflows to the Krishna River over the past decade. He explained that water downstream of the Krishna River can only flow if the Almatti, Narayanpur, and Jurala projects are filled. Currently, it is difficult to supply water to the Krishna Delta and the Nagarjuna Sagar Ayacut due to insufficient water levels.

 

Also read: Telangana CM asks Centre to address water dispute with Andhra

 

Ramanaidu also suggested that officials from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana should work together to manage water in the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar reservoirs. This coordination would help prevent crop losses and ensure a stable water supply for both states until June, benefiting both farmers and those relying on drinking water.

 

Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, DK Shivakumar, expressed his intention to visit Andhra Pradesh and meet Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to discuss solutions for removing silt from the Tungabhadra reservoir. Shivakumar recommended that discussions should first take place at the official level, with detailed proposals, before approaching the Chief Minister.

 

The meeting underscored the importance of joint decision-making and the need for collective action. The ministers agreed that by working together, they could ensure that the interests of farmers in all three states are safeguarded while managing the region’s shared water resources efficiently. The discussions also highlighted the ongoing challenges surrounding water storage, distribution, and the maintenance of vital reservoirs across the three states.