Godavari diversion will cause problems: Experts

HYDERABAD: At a time when the irrigation officials of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are scheduled to meet next week to give a final shape to its preliminary report on diversion of Godavari waters to Krishna river, irrigation experts have said that diversion of Godavari waters to other basin is not desirable at this stage and may land up in inter-state problems in the future.
Experts opined that the scheme cannot be designed just based on the flood flow waters, but it requires assured water. While the Telangana government is claiming that 2,000 tmcft of water is available and going as waste into the sea, the experts said that availability of water is less than the projected capacity if all the existing projects are completed.
The irrigation and engineers’ opinions were compiled by the Institution of Engineers (IEI), and the Telangana state centre and the recommendations were sent to the state government a couple of days ago. The association has taken views from experts during a round table conference on Godavari waters diversion to other basins in the first week of this month.
It may be recalled the state governments of both Telangana and AP have decided to share Godavari waters by diverting it to Krishna on the initiative of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. The engineers and irrigation officials of both the states are considering two to three plans to take Godavari waters to Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam projects.
“Diversion from Godavari river water to other basins should be only after meeting the requirements of existing, ongoing and contemplated irrigation schemes and also considering future requirements of industries and drinking water. Joint agreements and plans of Telangana and A.P will not stand the test of time and will be against the interest of Telangana,” said, IEI in the report.