Andhra to push for dismantling of Babli dam in SC tomorrow

"AP will present its case for dismantling of the project, when the case comes up for final hearing in Supreme Court tomorrow," State Major Irrigation Minister P Sudarshan Reddy told reporters at the end of an all-party meeting here today.

The government held an all-party meeting on the eve of the final hearing in the top court to elicit views of various parties on the line of argument to be taken by the state on the Babli issue.

A resolution was adopted at the meeting totally opposing the construction of Babli project.

During the hearing on the case last week, the Supreme Court wanted AP government to clearly spell out what it wanted to do now that Maharashtra had already built the dam.

"Protecting the irrigation command area under Sriram Sagar project and safeguarding the interests of Telangana region are our main objectives. All parties echoed this view," the Irrigation Minister said.

He said the state would have no objection to Maharashtra utilizing 1.09 tmc ft of water for drinking needs.

The government's standpoint would be conveyed to senior counsel Mohan Parasaran, who has been arguing the state