Telangana CM appeals to Union Minister Patil to find a solution for Tungabhadra water sharing expeditiously
Hospet (Karnataka), June 25 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday appealed to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to expedite efforts towards finding a permanent solution to the interstate Tungabhadra river water-sharing issue.
Addressing a public meeting at Munirabad after attending the inauguration of newly installed 33 spillway gates at Tungabhadra Dam here, Revanth Reddy described the day as a “red-letter day” as the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka participated in a meeting chaired by the Union Minister to discuss the long-pending water-sharing dispute.
The Chief Minister stressed that political differences should be set aside in the larger interest of farmers in the three states.
He said the first meeting involving the three Chief Ministers and the Union Minister marked an important step towards resolving the issue amicably.
Revanth Reddy said the installation of the new gates at the Tungabhadra Dam was a significant initiative that could help address a dispute affecting generations and provide relief to lakhs of farmers dependent on the river’s waters.
Recalling historical efforts to resolve water-related issues, he said even the erstwhile Mysore rulers had risen above differences to safeguard farmers’ interests.
The Chief Minister pointed out that farmers in Gadwal, Alampur and Palamuru regions were able to utilise only 5 to 6 TMC of the 17.9 TMC water allocated under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), while nearly 10 TMC remained unutilised due to various constraints.
He said the Telangana government had already brought issues relating to silt accumulation in the Tungabhadra river and water allocation disputes to the attention of the Union Minister.
The meeting, he added, resolved to work towards a permanent solution to the water crisis.
Emphasising the need to focus on solutions rather than disputes, Revanth Reddy said it was a significant occasion that discussions on interstate water-sharing issues were held on the banks of the Tungabhadra river itself.
Expressing optimism, he said the deliberations would pave the way for a lasting resolution to interstate water disputes and ensure equitable utilisation of water resources for the benefit of farmers across the three states.
TNT TS
