Date:16/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051654841000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Move to divert Somasila water to Kadapa opposed

Staff Reporter

TDP to launch agitation from May 22

It will affect irrigation, drinking needs: TDP leader
It’s the State’s duty to supply drinking water: Minister

NELLORE: The State’s government’s proposal to divert 4.2 tmcft of water from Somasila balancing reservoir to industrial units coming up at Kadapa has snowballed into controversy with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) deciding to launch a agitation from May 22.

Claiming that the diversion of water could affect the farming community, former Minister and TDP district president Somireddy Chandramohana Reddy said on Thursday that his party would convene a meeting of party activists to take up an agitation on this issue from May 22 to 25.

Rationale questioned

He sought to know the rationale behind drawing water from Somasila instead of K. C. Canal or any other irrigation project in Rayalaseema.

Coming down heavily on the ruling Congress, the TDP leader claimed that around 98 tmcft of water would be required to meet the existing requirements, excluding the dead storage capacity of 7 tmcft at Somasila and four tmcft at Kandaleru.

“About 80 tmcft of water is required for wet and irrigated dry crops once a year in 8.25 lakh acres that comes under Somasila, Sangam and Nellore deltas, Kavali, Kanupur, North and South canals, South and North feeders besides the Telugu Ganga and Somasila Kandaleru Flood Flow Canal.

In addition, 15 tmcft of water is required to meet the drinking water needs of Chennai while 3 tmcft for Nellore, Gudur, Venkatagiri, Sri Kalahasthi and Kavali.” Hence, any move to divert water to industries would definitely affect both irrigation and drinking water needs.

He wondered as to why elected representatives from the district, particularly MLAs, MLCs and MPs, were silent on this issue despite knowing consequences.

It is our duty

Justifying the move, Information and Public Relations Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, however, claimed that it was the duty of the government to supply drinking water from any project and also reminded the TDP that the catchment area in Kadapa district was also a major source for the project, even while asserting that no final decision was taken so far.

Poser to government

When asked as to why the government was planning to divert Somasila water instead of any other project located upstream of Kadapa district, he claimed that Tungabhadra project was not even able to supply water to Anantapur town due to silt deposits and meagre water reserves.