Andhra plans to meet PM over Babli project

Even Congress MP from Nizamabad, Madhu Yaskhi Goud, admitted his government was “not very keen” to stop Maharashtra from building the barrage, and was going about it “very lethargically”.

Andhra Pradesh has been against the barrage for it will “obstruct the flow of the river into the Sriramsagar Reservoir and dry up much of the Telangana area”. The river enters Maharashtra through Goud’s constituency. He says that if the barrage is built, the reservoir’s 90 tmc capacity will be filled up only till 60 tmc.

The reservoir is the lifeline for five districts, and, apart from them, two more would be affected. Even the NTPC project in the state, which need 8 tmc of water, will be affected.

“We appealed to the Chief Justice for a status quo on the project. The Maharashtra counsel told the court that no work is on at Babli and a stay was not given,” Goud said. Goud had filed a petition in the Supreme Court, last year. The state, too, had filed a suit. The two were clubbed. The next hearing is scheduled for the first week of May. While the AP Government is considering an “advancement injunction petition” to bring forward the date, it has not yet been filed. Goud said, “If I were fighting the case, I would first get evidence to show that work is on at a war footing.” Sources said a team, headed by the Major Irrigation Minister will go to New Delhi after the Assembly session is over.