Regarding the construction of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Reservoir in two phases, the Water Resources Minister, Nimmala Ramanaidu, has created confusion with his evasive answer on whether the water from Nallamala Sagar Reservoir will be lifted into Srisailam Reservoir, or taken to Banakacherla via reverse pumping, or taken to Someshila Reservoir. His response is akin to the saying, "When asked 'Why did you climb the palm tree?', the reply is 'To cut grass for the calf.'"
The State Government and the concerned Minister have the responsibility to honestly answer the public why they cancelled the tenders issued for preparing the DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the Polavaram-Banakacherla project.
The Minister's roundabout answer is likely to contribute to more confusion among the people. These comments are undoubtedly made due to a lack of understanding and nothing else.
He said the tenders were cancelled after consulting experts; that's fine. But can he specify which experts or engineering officials suggested transferring the water from Nallamala Sagar to Srisailam reservoir or Banakacherla?
It was already stated that the Polavaram-Banakacherla mega lift irrigation scheme proposed by the State Government is flawed and endangers Andhra Pradesh's rights over Krishna River waters. Despite this warning, the government did not listen. Ultimately, it had to face huge public opposition. It is surprising that they are still in such confusion even after this.
Krishna river waters should be supplied through gravity from Srisailam Reservoir via the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator to the Telugu Ganga and Galeru-Nagari projects. The construction of these projects must be completed immediately. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, gave statutory recognition to these projects, asking for the adjustment of Krishna water. Accordingly, the Central Government also issued a Gazette Notification. In this context, with the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal currently hearing this matter, the Minister's comments are extremely dangerous.
Previously, people's organizations and irrigation experts from the Rayalaseema region had submitted written pleas to the State Chief Minister and the Principal Secretary of the State Water Resources Department on this very issue. Despite this, the government called for tenders for the DPR of the Polavaram-Banakacherla mega lift scheme, acting like the proverb, "The rabbit we caught only has three legs" (meaning, stubbornly sticking to a flawed argument). Today, they must transparently, accountably, and sincerely explain the facts to the public as to why they cancelled the tenders.
K.V. Ramana demanded that if the government intends to implement the Godavari-Krishna-Penna River linking scheme (Polavaram-Bollapalli-Someshila) as an integral part of the National River Interlinking Project, it should be undertaken by crossing the Krishna River near Vaikunthapuram to provide water for the proposed ayacut under the Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme and for the stabilization of the ayacut under the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Canal.
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