AP delegation meets PM, demands his intervention on Babhli

The delegation, which had representatives from all registered political parties in Andhra Pradesh, met Singh at his 7, RCR residence and proposed to him that he should call an urgent meeting of Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh to resolve the issue of Babhli barrage and 13 other barrages pertaining to Godavari main river.

They also urged him to personally intervene and take all possible measures to protect the interests of the lowest riparian state -- Andhra Pradesh.

Andhra accuses the Maharashtra Government of carrying out illegal construction and installing gates at the Babhli barrage against a Supreme Court order, but Maharashtra disputes it.

Noting that Maharashtra has constructed Jayakwadi Project across Godavari at about 262 km from source or 502 km upstream of Pochampad Project, the leaders said Pochampad Dam (SRSP) is constructed across Godavari.

"This project being the life line of the Telangana region and being the only source by gravity means, is under great stress due to inadequate and insufficient inflows than contemplated because of the extensive construction of water retaining structures taken up by Maharashtra. Most of these structures are unauthorised," they said in a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister.

One such structure namely Babhli Barrage has violated all canons of interstate water sharing as it had been taken up in the very reservoir prism of the Pochampad project, they said.

They said Singh should ask the Maharashtra Government that the construction of Babhli project, which falls within the water prism of Sri Rama Sagar and is being built without any permission from the Central Water Commission, may be stopped forthwith.

They said Singh should also ask the state government to stop other 13 projects, which are obstructing the flow of water and have been constructed without obtaining the permission of the CWC and consent of lower riparian states.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who was recently arrested by Maharashtra Police for trying to visit the Babhli barrage in Nanded District, PRP leader Chiranjeevi and TRS leader Vinod Kumar represented their respective parties.

The leaders asked the Prime Minister to strengthen the mechanism in the country for enforcing the tribunal awards and inter-state agreements on interstate river waters to protect the interests of lower riparian states.