Jupally Slams AP Over Power Generation At Srisailam

Telangana Tourism, Culture and Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao today accused the Andhra Pradesh government of violating established norms in the utilisation of water from the Srisailam reservoir and undertaking power generation, and disregarding Telangana's interests.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan along with Achampet MLA Dr Chikkudu Vamsi Krishna and Nagarkurnool MLA Dr Rajesh Reddy, Rao said that clear guidelines prohibited power generation once the water level in the reservoir reached the minimum drawdown level of 834 feet, but that the norms were being overlooked, adversely affecting Telangana's irrigation and drinking water requirements.

The minister expressed concern that repeated representations to the Andhra Pradesh government had not yielded results, and described AP's approach as unresponsive. He said that elected representatives from the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district had collectively called for a Vanta-Varpu program at Srisailam to highlight the issue and safeguard the interests of farmers and residents in the Krishna basin.

Rao said that the Andhra Pradesh government halted power generation only after these concerns were strongly articulated.

He also said that similar concerns over water sharing in the Srisailam project had arisen in the past, including during the undivided Andhra Pradesh, when legal recourse was pursued.

He reiterated that the State government remained committed to protecting Telangana's interests and would take all necessary steps in this regard.