AP releases Telugu Ganga water to Chennai

Hyderabad, Aug 15 (UNI) In keeping with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's assurance to a ministerial team from Tamil Nadu, the irrigation authorities today released Krishna water from Kandaleru reservoir in the Palar Basin to the neighbouring state.

Initially 300 cusecs was released as a precaution and it would be stepped up to 500 cusecs in the night and 1000 cusecs from tomorrow, Irrigation Secretary R R Mishra told UNI.

The released water would reach Poondi reservoir in Tamil Nadu in four days, he said, adding, water release would be maintained for the next one-and-a-half to two months at 1000 cusecs of water, Tamil Nadu's maximum canal carrying capacity.

On August five, the Chief Minister promised to start Krishna water release from Independence Day, suspending ongoing Telugu Ganga canal lining work between Kandaleru and Poondi, when Tamil Nadu Ministers M K Stalin and K Ponmudi pressed for water release immediately in view of low storage in reservoirs catering to the drinking water needs of Chennai.

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