AP Water Resources Minister Nimmala Rama Naidu alleged that false allegations are being made against Polavaram- Banakacharla due to internal political infighting in Telangana. He said that the upstream states should understand that clean water is not being used for this project under any circumstances.
He said that it is being used to quench the thirst of Rayalaseema and prevent drought in that region. He said that only salt water that mixes with the sea is being used. He questioned those who are raising objections to Polavaram- Banakacharla, asking them to explain why the rules are not applicable to projects undertaken in Telangana? He questioned whether KCR had undertaken many projects without any permissions?
He reminded that many projects were undertaken without taking into account the interests of the downstream state of AP and without any permissions. But Nimmala was angry that objections were being raised against Banakacharla, which is still in its initial stage.
“Chandrababu Naidu’s interests are important to both Telugu states. That is why he did not object to Telangana projects undertaken without permission. The Polavaram- Banakacherla linking project is to utilize 200 TMC of the 3000 TMC of Godavari water that flows into the sea every year. This does not cause any damage to the upstream states. The people of both Telugu states should know the facts of the Polavaram- Banakacherla linking project”, Nimmala said.
“Only AP, the downstream state, is bearing the loss caused by the Godavari floods. It is the natural right of Andhra Pradesh, which is bearing the flood damage, to utilize the flood waters. People should realize that only the flood waters available from Polavaram are being utilized for Banakacherla”, he asserted.
Nimmala revealed that the preliminary report on the project has been submitted to the CWC and that the project is being implemented as per all the rules. He said that the DPR will be prepared only after the CWC approves the preliminary report. He clarified that the project will be taken forward only after the environmental clearances are received.
Nimmala wondered that why is the former Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy, who claims to be a child of Rayalaseema, not speaking out on the latest developments? He expressed anger that the BRS leaders’ argument is now different from what Jagan and KCR, the then Chief Ministers of the Telugu states, said.
