Minister faults TDP's 'fears' on Godavari project

Hyderabad, Dec 18 (UNI) Dismissing the Opposition Telugu Desam Party's (TDP) charge that the Telangana region will be affected if the government went ahead with its proposal to bring Godavari waters to Greater Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah said the ''apprehensions were unfounded.'' Addressing a press conference here today, he said drinking water would be available to nearly 150 villages in the Telangana region if Godavari waters were channelised to the city. The government focused on drinking water facilities while taking up irrigation projects.

Only 'assured water' in the rivers could be utilised for drinking water purposes he said adding that ''due to insufficient water in the Krishna river, the government proposed to channel Godavari waters to here to meet city's future needs.

''All water-related projects in the state are in agreement with expert and technical committee reports. Reports had put requirement of water in Hyderabad city to 31 TMC by 2031, the Minister said.

There is a move to bring 7.3 TMC water in the first phase by 2011, 9.10 TMC water under second phase by 2021 and 14.6 TMC water by 2031 in the third phase, Mr Lakshmaiah said.

Denying TDP's charges of 'negligence' in restraining the Maharashtra Government from the illegal construction of Babli project across river Godavari he said ''because of the best efforts by the government, the Centre had directed the neighbouring state to stop project works.'' UNI