HYDERABAD

Minister for Irrigation N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has made it clear to a delegation from Karnataka led by its Minister for Minor Irrigation N.S. Boseraju that a barrage being proposed by Karnataka across the Krishna river should not harm the interests of lower riparian State of Telangana, particularly its rights and future needs.

The Karnataka delegation comprised Raichur MP G. Kumar Naik, Raichur rural MLA Basanagouda Daddal, Secretary Minor Irrigation B.K. Pavithra, while the Telangana team consisted of Ministers Jupally Krishna Rao and Vakiti Srihari, State Planning Board Vice Chairman G. Chinna Reddy, Nagarkurnool MP Mallu Ravi, legislators of combined Mahabunagar district B. Krishnamohan Reddy, T. Megha Reddy, Ch. Vamshi Krishna, Irrigation Secretary E. Sridhar, Engineer-in-Chief O.V. Ramesh Babu and others.

Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy later stated that they discussed the technical details of the barrage proposed by Karnataka and any decision of the State Government would keep in mind protecting the mutual benefits. The meeting discussed utilisation of Krishna water by the two States, needs of irrigation and drinking water in the basin areas of the two States.

According to officials of the Irrigation Department, Karnataka has planned the construction of a gated barrage across the Krishna River upstream of the confluence of Krishna and Bhima rivers near Gurjapur village in Raichur taluk. It is intended to ensure uninterrupted water supply to Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS).

The Telangana Minister said the primary discussions revolved around the guidelines for protecting the interests of Telangana, particularly keeping in mind its future needs of irrigation and drinking water and the barrage proposed by Karnataka. The Telangana side has also put forward proposals to mitigate the drinking water problem in the basin areas. The discussions would be explained to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for taking a joint decision.