No setback for AP over apex court ruling on Babhali: Kiran

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today said there was no loss to the state with the Supreme Court's verdict permitting Maharashtra to complete construction of Babhali irrigation project on river Godavari that had been a bone of contention between the two neighbouring States for the past few years.
"On the face of it, there is no loss to the state in general and farmers in particular. I have full trust in the Supreme Court's judgement," he said.
He was referring to the verdict on Babhali by a three- member Bench yesterday. The Bench declined AP Government's plea against the construction of the project by Maharashtra in Nanded district for utilising the water of Godavari river.

He said Maharashtra, as per the verdict, was entitled to utilise only 2.74 tmc ft of water through the project out of its total share of 60 tmc ft of Godavari water.
"I have asked Major Irrigation Minister Sudarshan Reddy to talk to leaders of all parties and in case there could be any loss to the state we will take necessary action," the Chief Minister said, when pointed to the apprehensions raised by Opposition parties.
On whether Maharashtra would honour the ruling and utilise only 2.74 tmc ft of water as it was constructing another 10 projects on Godavari, he said "I have no doubts. I have faith in the Supreme Court judgement. Any state should honour it. If not, it will have to face contempt of court."

He pointed out that a three-member committee appointed by the SC would monitor utilisation of water by Maharashtra.

To questions on controversies surrounding the multi- purpose irrigation project Polavaram, Kiran said neighbouring Chhattisgarh and Odisha were required to conduct a public hearing afresh in areas which may be affected by the project.
"If the states do not conduct the public hearing, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests will complete the procedure," he maintained.
Once Polavaram project was completed, Karnataka would get 21 tmc ft of water (from river Krishna), Maharashtra 14 tmc ft, Odisha 5 tmc ft and Chhattisgarh 1.5 tmc ft of water from river Godavari.

"To impound 5 tmc ft of water, a sum of Rs 800 crore to Rs 1,000 crore needs to be spent. Those states will get water without investing any money," the CM noted.