TG Opposes AP's 'Illegal' Polavaram Expansion

Says it violates state's riparian rights, irrigation ENC asks PPA to restrain Andhra government

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Hyderabad

TELANGANA irrigation officials have urged the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) to discuss the proposed expansion of the Polavaram project by the Andhra Pradesh government to facilitate the Godavari-Banakacherla project. The PPA has convened a meeting on March 27 with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana officials to discuss interstate issues related to the project. However, Telangana has requested the PPA to include two additional points in the meeting agenda.

In a letter to the PPA chief executive officer, Telangana irrigation engineer-in-chief (ENC) G Anil Kumar has stated that in response to the meeting notice regarding the discussion of interstate issues related to the Polavaram project, two more points should be added to the agenda. He noted that the AP government has proposed an expansion of the Polavaram project to draw about 40,000 cusecs of water from the head sluice of the Right Main Canal (RMC).

"Andhra Pradesh cannot undertake such components or expansions to facilitate the Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project without notifying the co-riparian states. These changes necessitate modifications to the gate operation schedule, deviating from the defined schedule under GWDTA, and are likely to cause adverse backwater submergence effects in upstream territories," he said.

Telangana, in its previous correspondence, has strongly opposed any such expansion of the Polavaram project, stating that they violate Telangana's riparian rights, Anil recalled.