The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is yet to give its approval for the state government’s proposal to raise the height of Almatti dam to increase water storage capacity.
Anjum Parwez, Managing Director, Krishna Bhagya Jala Nigam Limited (KBJNL), told DH that the department had sought for clearance to store water and to take up works on lift irrigation schemes.
The MoEF has sought for clarification on the dispute pertaining to Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhara Pradesh. The ministry has also sought for clarification on the irrigation works to be taken up.
“We are consulting our legal team on this before approaching the MoEF again. The MoEF has not given any time frame to respond,” Parwez said.
Parwez added that the MoEF had at present not taken note of the writ petitions filed in various courts on the inter-state drinking water issue.
The KBJNL has proposed to increase the height of Almatti dam to 523.26 metres from the existing 519.6 metres, for which 22 villages in the vicinity will get submerged and 1.41 lakh trees will be felled. The KBJNL has also proposed nine lift irrigation projects in Krishna river basin.
The project also calls for acquiring 564 ha of forest land for it.
The KBJNL has been interacting with the environment department since 2014. But the MoEF does not seem keen to give the reply due to the environmental impact compounded with it.
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