Union Minister for Water Resources Nitin Gadkari has assured to convene a meeting of the Secretaries of Irrigation Departments of Andrha Pradesh and Telangana states soon with the Union Water Resources Secretary to resolve the issues related to Krishna water distribution between the two States.
This was stated by Telangana Irrigaiton Minister T. Harish Rao in New Delhi on Tuesday after participating in a meeting chaired by Mr. Gadkari on the progress of projects being funded under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP). Mr. Rao requested the Centre to release ₹500 crore immediately for the 11 projects taken up under PMKSY for their speedy progress.
Mr. Rao, along with Special Chief Secretary (Irrigation) S. K. Joshi, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the status of projects included under the PMKSY.
The Irrigation Minister said he had also brought the matter of the project getting delayed on account of delay in giving forest and environmental clearances, resulting in cost escalation. He also met Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan prior to the PMKSY meeting and requested him to expedite the environmental and forest clearance to Kaleshwaram and Palamuru-Rangareddy projects.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Rao called on Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu and enquired about his health.