Krishna water will be opened only if the monsoon rain hits: Andhra Pradesh officials

The Andhra Pradesh authorities have stated that the opening of Krishna water will be possible only after the water reserve of the Kandaleru Dam touches at least 7 TMC after monsoon rains.

A team of high level officials headed by Tamil Nadu Public Work Secretary Prabhakar, Water Resources Department Executive Engineer Jayaraman and Paalar Regional Chief Engineer Ganesan visited the Andhra Pradesh capital Amaravati two days ago. They met the Andhra Pradesh public sector officers and demanded for the opening of Kandaleru dam under Krishna river water sharing scheme to alleviate the water crisis in Chennai.

Currently, the dam consists of only 4.45 TMC of water. Hence, the Andhra Pradesh officials strongly stated that the dam cannot be opened.

As per the Krishna river water sharing scheme, the Andhra Pradesh Government should provide 12 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu. As much as 4 TMC of water from January to April and 8 TMC of water from July to October must be opened from Kandaleru to Poondi dam. But the water sharing Poondi from Kandaleru dam was stopped by March due to inadequate water.

As the water reserves in Cholavaram, Sembarambakkam and Puzhal lakes that supply drinking water to Chennai have been completely dried up due to the scorching summer, water is now being taken and distributed from the stone quarries near Chennai.

For the maintenance of the Krishna River Canal, the Government of Tamil Nadu has to pay an annual maintenance amount to the Government of Andhra Pradesh. It is said that the maintenance payment have not been made over the last 10 years. The Tamil Nadu government is ready to pay Rs 50 crore immediately, in return it demands the Andhra government to take action to open up the Krishna water.

Officials of Tamil Nadu Public Work Department returned to Chennai on Wednesday night after the Andhra Pradesh officials promised to take the matter to the sight of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy and Irrigation Minister Anil Kumar.