The Central Water Commission (CWC) has refused to provide clearances for the Kaleswaram irrigation project, Telangana.
This is another setback, to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government, that sought huge redesigning of irrigation projects in the State of Telangana.
Telangana Government had arguments earlier stating that Kaleshwaram Project is just a redesign of earlier Pranahita – Chevella Project, and is not a new project. But, then, Andhra Pradesh government was arguing that it is a new project, since significant changes are made to old designs.
CWC also agreed with the opinion of the Andhra Pradesh Government, considering the Kaleswaram irrigation project, as a new one.
This new hurdle comes nearly a month after, the Union Environment Ministry’s expert appraisal committee, have decided to withhold approvals for the Kaleswaram project. They further advised Telangana to obtain CWC’s clearances before its approval.
Earlier, the Telangana Government, has faced many legal troubles to its redesigned irrigation projects and alleged coercive land acquisitions for projects.
The State Government now worries that, it may fail to complete the promised irrigation projects in time, besides the prospects of severe cost escalations, affecting viability.
Civil society bodies and the Opposition parties in Telangana have been opposing the redesigning of lift irrigation projects. They have further questioned the techno-economic viability of the State.
The apex body under the union water resources ministry on Monday, advised Telangana to obtain consent of its lower riparian state Andhra Pradesh.
The consent is mainly to know why Kaleswaram should not be considered a new project, given changes in several basic parameters.
CWC also asked Telangana to give massive changes in design and to obtain clearances from the Godavari River Management Board, as prescribed under the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganization Act 2014. This approval could lead to a significant surge in river water off-takes.
A Senior bureaucrat at the CWC meeting, confirming the key deliberations, said, that the commission’s representatives have made it clear to the Telangana government that they consider Kaleswaram a new project, warranting inter-state and river board approvals as well.
"The key issue raised by the CWC was on Telangana, resorting to changing the irrigation project from Pranahitha basin to Godavari basin,” added the bureaucrat.
The bureaucrat further said, “the views of the CWC, goes against the interstate agreements and also the Bachawat Tribunal award on river water sharing.”
The official, who did not want his name to be revealed, said the Telangana government insisted on receiving all the apprehensions and objections of CWC in writing, so that it can take up the matter at an appropriate forum.
“The Telangana government strongly believes that it has the rights to redesign its irrigation projects and is entitled to utilize its portion of river waters whichever basin it wishes to, added the official.
The Telangana government has also submitted to the CWC that it had to change certain parameters of the Kaleswaram irrigation project. Representatives even have issues with the changes Telangana made in Kaleswaram project.
The project’s capacity was increased to 180 tmc from 160 tmc, a substantial increase in project outlay and omitting certain key barrages like Thummidihatti from the project.
Senior TRS leader and party’s deputy floor leader in the Parliament, Vinod Kumar Boianapalli, who participated in the meeting with CWC officials, said, “We hope to receive approvals at the earliest and take the project ahead to complete it in time.”
By Supraja
