Godavari water utilised from Devadula, Sitarama projects: Congress MP

Congress MP from Bhongir, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy (on the left) at a press conference held in Hyderabad

Congress MP from Bhongir, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, rejected Bharat Rashtra Samiti’s (BRS) charge that Godavari waters were not being utilised and said the water was being used from Devadula and Sitarama Lift Irrigation projects.

At a press conference held in Hyderabad, the Congress MP questioned why the BRS was not speaking about the Devadula and Sitarama Lift Irrigation projects while raising concerns over the utilisation of Godavari waters. “They are constantly speaking lies to defame the government,” he said.

Rejecting the BRS argument that water was not lifted at the Medigadda barrage and Kannepalli pump house, he said a water level of 93.5 metres was required for lifting water, whereas the present flow was only at 89 metres, leaving a shortfall of 4.5 metres. The same constraint applied to the Annaram and Sundilla barrages, he said.

Mr. Reddy accused the Opposition party of misleading people over the availability and utilisation of Godavari waters, alleging that the previous government’s failures in managing water, coal and power had contributed to the present situation in the State.

He reminded that the BRS government had agreed to a share of only 299 TMC ft of Krishna river water, which was the root cause of all the present problems. He asserted that water was not flowing into Andhra Pradesh in the manner alleged by the BRS.

He accused BRS leaders K.T. Rama Rao and T. Harish Rao of resorting to political criticism because the people had denied their party another term in office. Having been in power for 10 years, they should explain their record instead of making allegations against the present government, he said.

Referring to the emerging challenges posed by El Niño, Mr. Chamala said the phenomenon had created a serious situation after a long interval. Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and ministers regularly reviewed the situation and offered suggestions to prepare the State for its possible impact, he said.

He asked the BRS to attend the all-party meeting on El Niño, led by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, on October 28, and offer constructive suggestions.