The power generation at major hydel reservoirs of Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar on the Krishna river has taken political twist between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with accusations of depriving their rightful share of water and power.

With Telengana Government taking a firm stand on generating power in spite of objections by AP, the latter has knocked at the Krishna River Water Management Board to intervene and resolve the issue.

According to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the generation of power at the Srisailam would drain out water from the reservoir as it is necessary to maintain water level at a minimum draw down level to supply drinking water to the Rayalaseema region by Andhra Pradesh.

Telangana Irrigation Minister has stated that AP has used up more than 60 tmc of water from Srisailm and is now seeking to deny their rightful use of water including power generation.

But for Telangana, lack of power generation from Srisailam is seen to impact the farm sector operation, now at advanced Kharif season. The power supply is used to energise pumpsets.

The growing strain between the two states on the power generation leading to loss of water, with far reaching impact on drinking water and also on supply of power, has lead to protests by leaders from both the States. While members have been agitating in AP over power generation, leaders in Telangana have voiced concern accusing AP of denying them their rightful share.

The trouble started after the Hudhud cyclone resulted in lower power generation and supply to Telangana, already faced with severe demand-supply mismatch, where industries are subjected to two-day power holiday per week and domestic consumers face huge power cuts.

At the Srisailam dam, hydel power units located on either side of the bank of 770 mw and 900 mw are shared by the two States. With the water level gradually coming down to 858 feet due to power generation, as against full reservoir level of 885 ft, AP raised alarm bells, leading to stoppage of power generation located in their units.

This was opposed by Telangana as it felt that AP was doing this deliberately and has also asked them to stop generation. In fact, AP has called upon Telangana to stop generation from their units too.

As per the arrangements and earlier Government orders, priority would be accorded to drinking water, followed by irrigation and then power generation. Earlier this year, it was agreed by both the States to adhere to earlier orders in terms of water release and power generation.

With Telangana firm on power generation from the Srisailam Left Bank Canal, a regional issue before AP’s division has now become a tricky Inter-State political issue needing the Board’s intervention.

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