Hyderabad: Telangana has rejected the National Green Tribunal (NGT) – Joint Committee’s Joint Findings at the Palamuru-Rangeddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLI).
The combined committee, in its report, has recommended RS 3.7 Crore’s environmental compensation to be paid to the central pollution control board towards violations of environmental norms, to build projects without environmental permission (EC).
Telangana is also directed to comply with solid waste management rules and get EC.
The Committee argues that drinking water is a minor component, while it is compiled as an irrigation scheme to lift 90 thousand million cubic feet (TMC FT) and drinking water components only 7.15 TMC.
In his reply, the Special Principal, Department of Irrigation, Rajat Kumar stated, “The findings of the Palamuru-Rangeddy Committee are understood as an irrigation scheme to lift 90 TMC flood water in 60 days from the banks of the Srisailam River on the Krishna River.
Wrong.
Pri was originally conceived for multiple purposes, Including providing drinking water to Mahabubnagar, Nagarfurnool, Narayanpet, Vicarabad, Nalgonda, Rangitteddy and Hyderabad City and the proposed project also present a water supply to the industry.
“The Telangana Government also states that the irrigation part of the project will be taken only after getting EC and it’s in condition Public hearing and proposal submission for EC.
“The excreted dirt from the proposed tunnel excavation is being discarded in the project location, and the same thing will be used for the manufacture of sand, pevetment, and concrete purposes.
There is no need to have an environmental management plan to deal with dirt as stated by the committee together in the report That, “continued Kumar in the answer.
“People in the Mahabubagar district and Nalgonda face a problem of fluoride concentration in the country.
Drinking water projects are very important for them,” Kumar added.
Telangana also told NGT that the steps for the improvement mentioned by the Committee without substance.
“Reservoirs are built for 64.8 TMC, and water cannot be used for irrigation purposes because the canal tissue is only below the planning stage.
The requirements of drinking water according to the DPR are 7.1 TMC.
However, water will be used for drinking water purposes in the period of as much drought Floods are rare phenomenon.
Drawl water and storage in the reservoir may be once in four years, “he said.
He also said two members of the Joint Committee have expressed various opinions and it must be considered.
J Shyamala Rao, Secretary, Water Resources Department, Andhra Pradesh, said, “Prlis is irrigation and not a drinking water project.
Telangana misleads the court and illegally build the project.”