Now, opposition to Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project in AP

The water disputes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh continue to go on, with neither parties ready for a compromise. The AP government is finding faults with the way the TS government is using the Krishna river water, while the TS government is finding faults with the way the AP government is using up the Krishna river water, and with the various projects that are under construction by the AP government, on the river.

The Telangana government is in strong opposition to the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project that the AP government is constructing. Now, opposition to this project is coming from the people of AP itself, with TDP members from the Prakasam district fighting against the project. These members have written a letter directly to CM Jagan, requesting the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project not be constructed, as this would mean that the Prakasam district would face a severe shortage if the water was diverted towards Rayalaseema. The Prakasam district mostly depends on the water that flows from Nagarjuna Sagar, and on rainwater. However, given that rains haven’t really been that consistent in the area in the past 12 years, the people of the Prakasam district are not in favour of the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project.

On the other hand, the YSRCP has been making its Minister from the area, Suresh, very publicly announce that the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project would continue to be constructed no matter what. Given that there aren’t many opposition ministers in the district, no one came forward boldly until now. With the problem escalating though, the TDP members have dared to write a letter to Jagan directly. It is now to be seen what Jagan will do, with opposition for the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project stemming from Andhra Pradesh itself.