‘Will use our share of river water at any cost’

HYDERABAD: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao laid the foundation stone for the `84,000-crore Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project across Godavari river in Karimnagar district on Monday, ignoring objections by leaders of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Jagan Mohan Reddy of YSR Congress — the principal Opposition party in Andhra Pradesh — has threatened to go on a three-day fast at Kurnool starting May 16, saying the new project by Telangana will rob Andhra of its due share of water.

However, Rao stuck to his stand and said Telangana will go ahead with the project at any cost and that the state was well within its right to use waters from both Godavari and Krishna rivers.

“Some parties are playing cheap politics. Come what may, these projects will be completed,” he said.

Rao said Telangana came into existence to get its rights, including its share in irrigation and drinking water.

“Telangana was allocated 1,300-tmc of water by Andhra rulers in the united state. What we are using is the share given to us officially and as per the

Telangana was allocated 1,300 tmc of water by Andhra rulers in the united state. What we are using is the share given to us officially... We are not using anything above this. Hence, nobody needs to have any apprehensions. K CHANDRASEKHAR RAO, Telangana chief minister

government orders issued. We are not using anything above this and hence, nobody needs to have any apprehensions,” said the chief minister.

Pointing out that water is flowing in Godavari even in the month of May and that much of the river’s water is going waste into the sea, Rao said efforts by the state to utilise this water should be appreciated.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to complain to the Centre about the irrigation projects being built “illegally” by Telangana.

The state cabinet, which met in Vijayawada on Monday, decided to write to the Centre about the projects being take up by Telangana across Godavari and Krishna rivers.