Date:09/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/09/stories/2007080954800400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Telugu Ganga water released for Chennai

Staff Reporter

DASUKUPPAM (AP-TN Border): The residents of this sleepy village, situated adjacent to the Kandaleru Poondi (Sri Sai Ganga) canal on the inter-State border, woke up on Wednesday to the roar of the Krishna waters flowing towards Chennai.

Ponnala Lakshmaiah became the first Major Irrigation Minister to release Telugu Ganga water to Chennai for the fourth consecutive year, when he formally inaugurated water supply to the metropolis through the flume at the ‘Zero point’ on Wednesday.

Water started flowing at the rate of 260 cusecs, which was expected to be increased to 1000 cusecs by night to fill the Poondi tank, situated 25 km away and considered the main water source for Chennai. The tank, with a holding capacity of 3 tmcft, was at its Dead Storage Level (DSL) before the Krishna started gushing towards it. Talking to the media, Mr. Lakshmaiah said that the State had so far released 28 tmcft of water to Chennai.