By: V.V. Balakrishna
Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao is likely to discuss with Union water resources minister Uma Bharati on river-linking project.
The state government formally invited the Union minister for the launch of Mission Kakatiya programme, which is expected to be sometime this month.
Sources in the irrigation department indicated that Rao is likely to interact with Uma Bharati on various issues relating to irrigation including the grand river- linking project.
As the Union water resources ministry is all set to start the work of preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) on river-linking project, the chief minister is likely to tell Uma Bharati that Telangana should not lose its share in assured waters in Godavari and should also get some additional waters through river-linking project.
‘’With directions from the Supreme Court, the Centre is in a hurry to complete the river linking project and decided to prepare DPRs. Preparation of DPRs means that the Centre is going ahead with the project in peninsular component too. Rao may talk with Uma Bharati during the latter’s visit to the state,” sources in the irrigation department told Express.
The only objection to river-linking from Telangana is that the feasibility reports were prepared some 20 years back. Telangana government is requesting the Centre to take into consideration major irrigation projects proposed in the last 20 years and ensure water for those projects too.
Source: The New Indian Express