Telangana Moves Supreme Court On Andhra Project

Further severing the ties between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, CM KCR-led Telangana state government has moved the Supreme Court over Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project (RLIP). Telangana government has appealed to the Apex Court to halt the tender process of AP government for the RLIP and thus stop the works of Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation. Telangana asked the Apex Court to stop the Krishna water diversion plans of AP.

Telangana is of the opinion that RLIP would affect Palamuru-RangaReddy Project. In the last meeting with Telangana’s Irrigation Department, CM KCR said the state would move Supreme Court if Jagan led AP government initiates tender process. Despite KCR’s directions to the Irrigation Department, AP government has decided to initiate the tender process for the RLIP as per the procedure. This has irked CM KCR.

With this, yesterday night, the Telangana government filed a petition in the Supreme Court through Electronic Format. The Supreme Court is likely to take up the petition for hearing in two days.

Earlier on July 30, AP state government filed a complaint with the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) stating that the depleting water level in Srisailam dam will result in lesser drinking water supply to the drought-hit areas of Rayalaseema, Nellore and fluoride-affected areas of Prakasam and Guntur districts.

AP complained that TS Genco’s “indifferent attitude” is detrimental to drinking water supply to areas in AP. Following AP government’s complaint, KRMB had directed the Telangana government to stop the release of water from Srisailam dam’s left bank power houses immediately. AP government’s Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project (RLIP) is going to cater to irrigation and drinking water needs of drought-prone Rayalaseema region.