Ready for any kind of fight against AP's G-B proj: Uttam

REFUTING the allegations of the Opposition BRS that the Congress government failed to stop the Andhra Pradesh government's proposed Godavari-Banakacherla project, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday declared that "we are ready for any kind of fight" against AP's project.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Hyderabad

Speaking to reporters here, Uttam said that the state government has already written letters to Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman opposing the project.

"After our representation, Union Minister CR Patil in a letter assured us that the G-B project will be examined in accordance with the extant guidelines, existing tribunal awards/inter-state agreements and various provisions under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014," he said.

"The proposed G-B project not only contravenes the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act and Godavari Tribunal Award 1980, but also adversely affects the water rights of people of Telangana, especially of vast drought-prone areas. Allowing such a project would undermine the equitable and judicious management of interstate river waters and will set a precedent contrary to the statutory framework and natural justice," Uttam told CR Patil in his letter on January 22, 2025.

On the same day, Uttam, in another letter to the Union finance minister, requested her "not to give any financial assistance to the G-B project and also prevent Andhra Pradesh from taking up any further action on this project, including calling and awarding of tenders".