Hyderabad
The Union Jal Sakthi ministry on Thursday rejected the demand of the Telangana authorities to fee a recent research on the impression of backwaters of the Polavaram main irrigation undertaking being constructed on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh.
Secretary within the ministry of Jal Sakthi Pankaj Kumar conveyed it to the Telangana irrigation division authorities throughout a digital assembly with officers of the 4 states – Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — to debate the backwater results of the Polavaram undertaking.
The assembly was convened as per the instructions of the Supreme Courtroom on September 6 to clear the apprehensions of Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the submergence of villages within the backwaters of the undertaking as a consequence of change within the design of the undertaking enhancing its storage capability.
Final week, Telangana particular chief secretary (irrigation) Rajat Kumar wrote a letter to the Centre asking for a complete research on the backwater results of the Polavaram undertaking within the wake of huge floods to the Godavari within the second week of July.
Kumar identified that if the Polavaram undertaking is accomplished, there might be inundation menace to a number of villages in Telangana, moreover the temple city of Bhadrachalam, Manuguru heavy water plant and Bhadradri thermal energy station.
On the Thursday’s assembly, Kumar raised the problems once more and requested {that a} recent survey be performed on the impression of Polavaram backwaters and remedial measures be taken.
A senior official of the Andhra Pradesh irrigation division mentioned Pankaj Kumar clarified that the Centre had already acquired scientific survey carried out twice in 2009 and 2011, which prompt that there could be no extra flood menace to any of the locations within the different three states.
“No matter the development of Polavaram undertaking, these areas have been going through submergence yearly as a consequence of floods to Godavari river. Even when the undertaking is accomplished, there would no extra flood menace to those areas. Not even one-third of those areas could be submerged after the undertaking is accomplished,” he mentioned.
With regard to the apprehensions raised by Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the Andhra Pradesh irrigation official mentioned the state authorities had already come ahead to assemble bunds all alongside the river course in these states, however it required the conduct of public hearings within the affected villages.
“Whereas Chhattisgarh has agreed in precept for the conduct of public listening to, Odisha has not given the consent,” the official mentioned.
The Union Jal Sakthi secretary mentioned one other assembly could be held on October 7 to debate the technicalities of those points pertaining to the submergence of areas within the backwaters of Polavaram and a report could be submitted to the Supreme Courtroom subsequently.