Veligonda row: Harish questions T govt’s silence on Krishna water diversion by AP | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: BRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao has alleged that while the AP govt is illegally diverting Krishna water through Veligonda project, chief minister A Revanth Reddy remained silent.In a statement on Monday, Harish Rao accused the Congress govt of failing to protect Telangana’s legitimate share of Krishna water and said its silence amounted to a grave injustice to farmers of the state.“At a time when Telangana is facing increasing irrigation challenges, the AP govt is diverting Krishna water through Veligonda despite the absence of an established allocation and adequate flood flows. Instead of questioning this diversion and protecting Telangana’s water rights, the Revanth Reddy govt has chosen to remain silent,” Harish Rao said.He pointed out that several major projects in Telangana’s Krishna basin, including Bheema, Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu and Koilsagar, were facing severe water shortages, leaving their ayacuts dependent on inadequate supplies.He said the alleged diversion through Malyala, Muchumarri, Pothireddypadu, Nagarjunasagar right canal and now Veligonda raises serious questions about the protection of Telangana’s water rights.“This is a direct injustice to farmers in Palamuru, Rangareddy, Nalgonda and other parts of Telangana. The CM should explain why water that should be secured for Telangana’s farmers is being allowed to flow elsewhere,” Harish Rao said.The ex-minister also questioned the role of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), saying that the institution responsible for overseeing the utilisation of Krishna water cannot remain a mute spectator when Telangana’s interests were at stake.“If KRMB itself remains a spectator while Telangana’s water rights are being undermined, who will protect the interests of Telangana?” he asked.He demanded that Union minister Kishan Reddy immediately intervene and ensure that KRMB takes necessary action to protect Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna water.