Naidu’s silence on Karnataka, Telangana water projects hurting Rayalaseema: YSRCP

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Wednesday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of remaining silent over water projects taken up by Karnataka and Telangana, jeopardising the interests of Rayalaseema.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s central office in Tadepalli, YSRCP leader Sake Sailajanath said the State government’s inaction and lack of clarity on Krishna river water management could push the drought-prone region into a deeper crisis. He demanded that the issue be taken up for a detailed discussion in the ongoing Assembly Budget Session and urged the government to spell out its stand in the matter.

Mr. Sake Sailajanath expressed concern over reports that the height of the Almatti Dam in Karnataka may be further increased, enhancing its storage capacity.

Any further increase in storage at Almatti could push flood arrivals to September or October, threatening irrigation prospects in Rayalaseema and impacting Nellore and Prakasam districts as well, he alleged. Referring to approvals granted by the Central Water Commission in 2018 for upper-basin projects, he claimed that their cumulative effect could result in drought-like conditions across large parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Sailajanath also sought clarity from Mr. Naidu over remarks made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy that the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme had been halted after discussions between the two Chief Ministers.

Demanding immediate completion of the Rayalaseema and Banakacherla lift irrigation projects, he urged the government to establish alternative water supply mechanisms to safeguard the region’s interests.

The YSRCP leader further appealed to the Centre to lift restrictions on foreign funding to the Rural Development Trust, stating that its long-standing development initiatives in Anantapur, YSR and Kurnool districts should not be disrupted. Safeguarding Rayalaseema’s water security must remain the government’s foremost responsibility, he said.