A crucial meeting of the Krishna River Water Management Board on Wednesday allocated the 30 tmcft water available in Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar reservoirs in the ratio of 1:2 at 10 tmcft and 20 tmcft for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively till fresh inflows in July, but Andhra Pradesh expressed its resentment saying it should be the other way round.

The Telangana side insisted that AP was entitled to a lesser share because the latter had used more than what it was entitled to. Of the total yield of 152 tmcft in both the reservoirs which AP and Telangana were to share in 3:5 ratio, the actual utilisation by the States was 47 tmcft and 105 tmcft respectively. While Telangana underutilised its share, AP spent 7 tmcft more, R. Vidyasagar Rao, Advisor (Irrigation) of Telangana told media persons after the meeting.

This was countered by AP officials who insisted that Telangana spent up to 85 tmcft, including minor irrigation, which was not accounted for. Telangana also spent another 5 tmcft each from Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme and Jurala project. Ultimately, the argument that overall usage taking the entire basin into account be considered prevailed in taking the decision.

Mr. Rao said the demand of AP for immediate release of 4 tmcft for drinking water purposes was conceded, but that will leave the State with only 6 tmcft till July. Telangana will also use 1.5 tmcft from its available 20 tmcft to meet drinking water requirements in Hyderabad.

The meeting under the chairmanship of S.G.K. Pandit who will retire this month-end decided not to take up the issue of bringing projects in Krishna basin under the jurisdiction of the board as it could lead to heated arguments and derail the agenda. Similarly, the stand of the States on new projects and power generation were also not discussed. Instead, the meeting took up safety of Srisailam dam to guard against heavy flood as seen a few years ago and recommendations made by an expert panel. It was decided to approach the Central Water Commission to explore appointment of consultants for the work.

Mr. Rao said the issue of new projects was not discussed because the term needed redefining. Similarly, it made no sense to bring projects under the purview of the board until project-wise allocations were made. Moreover, the Brijesh Kumar tribunal was looking into the allocations. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretaries and Engineers-in-Chief of both States.

River board allocates 20 tmcft for TS as State

had underutilised its share