Politically speaking, Godavari water is becoming inflammable in Telangana.So far, we have seen the Krishna water generating extreme heat between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and this lead to lathi-battle between the two Telugu states near Nagarjuna Sagar some time back.
This time round, the Godavari water is turning into contentious issue because of TRS government’s decision to abandon Dr BR Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravathi project, which YSR initiated as chief minister. YSR laid foundation for the project, which would impound 160 TMC water from Pranahita river, on December 17, 2008. On that day, the project, planned with an outay of Rs, 38,5000 crore,was envisaged to generate 13,500 MW power.
Adilabad district was upbeat because it was going to be the principal beneficiary. Now, tension is building up in the district as the TRS has almost decided to abandon the original project and wants to build a project in lieu of Dr BRAPCSS project near Kalewaram. The decision has meet with protest from all opposition parties-Congress,YSRC, Telugu Desam, CPI and CPM. The mass organization Jalasadhana Samithi organized protest against the decision in the very meeting KCR addressed in Gudem, Adilabad district, two days ago.
Political parties allege that the original project is abandoned as it gives credit to the Congress party. YSR Congress says KCR doen’t want credit go to YS Rajasekhar Reddy. CPI and CPM also are opposing the change of project site.
On the other side, government argues that original project, with huge submergence in Maharasthra, leads to disputes and stalls the project, and shifting of the project from Tummidihetti to Kaleswaram in Karimnagar disrtrict is the best deal.
Jalasadhana Samiti, a non-profit and non-political mass organization disputes government’s verision. According to Nainal Goverdhan, a representative of organization, original project is planned scientifically and water flows due to gravity. “If a project is built near Kaleswaram, transferring water to Adilabad district which is located on higher planes, is difficult and needs huge power to lift the water to higher levels. Kaleswaram denies Godavari water to Adilabad,” he told Telugu360.
KCR, he said, organized Telangana movement around the slogan ‘Telangana Resourses to Telangana’ only. Now we want carry that slogan forward with “Adilabad water to Adilabad only”.
“We oppose the Kaleswaram and demand that original project be implemented,” he said. Goverdhan was warned by CM KCR of dire consequences if continues to oppose the Kaleswaram, when staged a protest Gudem village.
Similarly, CPI state secretary Chada Venkata Reddy also opposed the move to change Dr BRAPCSS project alignment. District CPM leader Bandi Dattadri, advised the government to against shifting project. Instead, he said, to avoid the submergence in Maharashtra, the height of the project could be brought down by 5 mts. The financial burden of Kaleswaram would outweigh the benefits if the project is built near Kaleswaram.
Many suspect, something more than feasibility and submergence in Maharashtra are said to have driven the government to abandon the original project, which no doubt earlier attracted criticism from environmentalists.
Even though no force can stop the government shifting the Dr BRAPHSS project (name also will be erased) to Kaleswaram, the decision is bound to create ill-will among the people of Adilabad against KCR government. And also the controversy is expected to turn into new ammunition in the hands issue-less opposition parties
