Harish Rao Urges KRMB to Stop AP From Drawing Water at Nagarjunasagar

Senior BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao has demanded that the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) immediately intervene and stop Andhra Pradesh from drawing water from the Nagarjunasagar project in Nalgonda district.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Harish Rao said that Andhra Pradesh began drawing water through the Nagarjunasagar Right Canal. He described the development as a direct failure of the Congress-led government in Telangana to safeguard the state's rightful share of Krishna river water.

Harish Rao criticised Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, alleging that the administration has failed to protect the state's interests. He noted that the dam is under Telangana's control and accused the Chief Minister of watching like a spectator while Andhra Pradesh takes water away.

According to Harish Rao, Andhra Pradesh had sought 47 tmc ft of water from the Krishna river during a recent meeting of the KRMB three-member committee. However, the board had not taken any decision on the request. He questioned how Andhra Pradesh could divert water before any formal allocation was approved by the board.

Harish Rao also alleged that Andhra Pradesh is diverting 11 tmc ft of water from the Srisailam reservoir through the Veligonda tunnel. He stated that taking water during prevailing drought conditions driven by the impact of El Nino is unacceptable and called on the authorities to take immediate action.