Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his Andhra Pradesh counterpart YS Jagan Mohan Reddy today resolved to divert Godavari river water to Krishna and to ensure that water reaches every nook and corner of both the States.

During a meeting held here, they assured they will work together and utilise the water resources efficiently. They said their aim was to ensure that there will not be any scarcity of water for agriculture, industries and for the drinking water purposes in either of the states.

According to a statement from the Telangana Chief Minister’s Office, lack of water is causing hardship to Rayalaseema region in AP, Palamuru and United Nalgonda districts in Telangana. To mitigate the hardships faced by these regions for decades together, it was decided to divert Godavari water to Srisailam reservoir.

They have instructed the officials concerned to prepare a strategy for the diversion.

Rao said after the elections in AP, there is a qualitative change for the better in the relations between the two States. “There are no egos, no disputes over the Basins (water), no apprehensions, there is no need for differences or disputes. If we want disputes we cannot give water to our next generations. It is our responsibility to do good for them.” “Availability of water is going down in Krishna River. It may further get reduced in the years to come. Hence the Governments have firmly resolved to utilise water from Godavari river to mitigate water problems in Rayalaseema region in AP, Palamuru Nalgonda areas in Telangana State. Officials concerned should study and submit report to the government on how to divert water from the Godavari,” Jagan said.

Of the 4,000 TMC of water that can potentially be tapped from Krishna and Godavari, about 3,000 TMC is going waste into the sea every year. Both the States plan to utilise this water and thereby help transform both States and make them fertile.

And the only issue that was holding up all these days was lack of unanimity earlier. Now with both States having unanimity on utilisation of water in the two rivers for the benefit of people in both the States, they look forward to take their common agenda forward.

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