Jagan lauds KCR for initiative on river waters

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Thursday reiterated his resolve to maintain cordial and friendly relations with Telangana. Speaking in the AP Legislative Assembly during a discussion on irrigation projects, Jaganmohan Reddy praised Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao calling him a ‘good man’ and for taking the initiative to ensure availability of water for Andhra Pradesh from Godavari river.

During a discussion, at times a very noisy one, with TDP members shouting at the ruling benches, Jaganmohan Reddy blasted TDP for objecting to Telangana’s proposal to divert part of water from Godavari into Krishna river to fill the Srisailam reservoir. “Instead of appreciating the Telangana Chief Minister’s proposal, the TDP was



trying to give a political twist to the issue,” he said.

Andhra Pradesh being a lower riparian State, cannot do anything when other States build projects and use water from Godavari and Krishna. Karnataka is raising the height of Almatti dam on Krishna from 219 to 224 metres. Telagnana built the Kaleshwaram project and has begun using Godavari water. All of these happened when N Chandrababu Naidu was the Chief Minister and he watched these developments quietly. “Now the TDP accuses us of toeing Telangana’s line,” he said.

The AP Chief Minister also explained how the State would be bereft of water from Godavari and Krishna rivers if it refuses to work with neighbouring States.