Seems like the Telangana government will not oppose the Karnataka government’s plan to construct a parallel reservoir on the Tungabhadra dam. The KCR-led state government that stayed mum at the beginning later escalated the issue regarding the illegal projects being constructed by Andhra seems like is now adopting the same approach in the case of Karnataka.
In a recent development, Karnataka Irrigation Minister Govinda Karajola on Tuesday came up with a proposal of building a parallel storage reservoir on the Thungabadra dam. While the proposal was made seven years ago, the then Irrigation Minister, T Harish Rao initially opposed the plan without consulting the stakeholders.
However, the Telangana officials later stated that the proposed new barrage was in the jurisdiction of Karnataka and they couldn’t interfere. Even now, the KCR government remained mum over the proposal made. The Tungabhadra Dam was built in 1953 by the Nizam Government and the Madras Government. Built with a capacity of 130 TMC, the capacity was reduced to 100 TMC due to sedimentation.
Upon which, Karnataka is planning to build a parallel reservoir with a capacity of 35 TMCs. Karnataka Irrigation Minister Govinda Karajola recently said that a parallel reservoir would be constructed in Navalli village. The Karnataka government will soon hold a meeting with AP and Telangana chief ministers to seek consent for the construction of the new dam.
