Kurnool: Telugu Desam Party Kurnool parliament constituency president Palakurthi Thikka Reddy on Saturday strongly opposed Karnataka’s plan to build a bridge-cum-barrage on the Tungabhadra River between Kumbalanur and Chikalparvi.
Addressing a meeting at the district office, along with KUDA chairman Somisetty Venkateswarlu, the TD leader warned that the proposed construction will harm the interest of farmers in Kurnool district.
Thikka Reddy said, in fact, Karnataka is planning two bridge barrages—one with a capacity of 0.35 TMC at Kumbalanur-Chikalparvi and another of 0.31 TMC at Mantralayam-Chinna Manchala.
He pointed out that the Kumbalanur-Chikalparvi barrage, located 144 km from the Tungabhadra dam, could lead to illegal diversion of river water with lift irrigation proposed at the location. This would reduce water availability for farmers in Mantralayam, Yemmiganur and Kodumuru constituencies, threatening the KC Canal’s irrigation system, which relies on 31.90 TMC of water annually.
The TD leader warned that the project could submerge the historic Ramalingeswara Swamy Temple near Kumbalanur.
Terming the proposed construction a potential inter-state water dispute, Thikka Reddy demanded that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah follow proper protocols and hold discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
He said they have already brought the issue to the notice of AP Chief Minister, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, Water Resources minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, and IT minister Nara Lokesh.
Thikka Reddy took a dig at former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for claiming to return to power with a “2.0 formula” and rule for 30 years.
TD leaders K. Nagendra and Y. Nageswara Rao Yadav were among those who participated in the meeting.
