Date:25/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/25/stories/2007062558590500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Tungabhadra works in a limbo

B. Chandrashekhar

Karnataka silent on Tungabhadra Board proposals

ANANTAPUR: The often repeated claims of the ruling Congress and the Opposition Telugu Desam Party on the modernisation of Tungabhadra Right High Level Canal (HLC) that the Tungabhadra Board had accepted the State Government proposal for modernisation and only Karnataka’s approval was awaited have been proved wrong.

A recent visit to Tungabhadra dam and interaction with Tungabhadra Board Secretary S.L.V. Nathan has revealed that there has been no progress, whatsoever, in the matter.

Quoting the 184th meeting of the Tungabhadra Board the two parties have been giving an impression to the people in the district that the board had passed a resolution on the necessity of modernisation of HLC in its limits, from 0 to 105 kms, and the works would be grounded immediately after a formal acceptance from Karnataka.

When asked about the facts in the matter Mr. Nathan stated that what the board meeting had decided was appointment of an engineering consultant for preparing a project report on the development HLC and LLC (Low Level Canal) systems in its limits. Besides, it was also decided to take up emergency repairs on the two canal systems, keeping in view their state of dilapidation.

Consultancy report

As getting report from the consultancy would be a delayed affair it was decided to form a committee with superintending engineers to discuss about the emergency repairs.

Along with the boards decisions in the October 18 meeting of the last year the proposal made by Andhra Pradesh for modernisation was also sent to Karnataka seeking its response on the two issues -- consultancy matter and AP’s proposal.

“However, there has been no response from Karnataka either on the decisions of the board or on the proposal of AP so far”, the Tungabhadra Board Secretary stated.

There was no response even on the emergency repairs on the two canal systems recommended by the SE’s panel, Mr. Nathan clarified.

Karnataka silent

Karnataka was also silent on the AP’s proposal made in 2004 for surveillance of the HCL in the board limits with the Central Industrial Security Force to prevent illegal tapping of water by Karnataka farmers from the canal in the board limits, he noted.

The board would meet on June 29 to assess the availability of water in the reservoir this year, he stated.