Tamil Nadu government mulling over using pipelines to bring Krishna water

The State government is once more mulling over the proposal to bring Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu through a devoted pipeline.

The authorities are getting inputs from varied stakeholders on this regard regardless of considerations raised over the the massive quantity that could be wanted for the mission, at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has hit funds of the State government.

A recent look is being taken on the proposal, given the truth that Tamil Nadu has by no means realised its share of 12 thousand million cubic ft (tmcft) of Krishna water even as soon as for the reason that commissioning of the Krishna Water Supply Scheme/Telugu Ganga Project. The highest quantum acquired within the final 25 years was 8.237 tmcft in 2020-21. Illegal drawal of water by farmers alongside the 152-km-long Kandaleru-Poondi canal is being cited as one of many causes for the State not having the ability to get its due totally.

There is another reason why the proposal is getting the eye of the authorities. Tamil Nadu is not dealing with opposition from Andhra Pradesh to the thought of laying pipelines. In reality, even in 1983, when the water sharing deal was struck, it was for conveying water by means of pipelines. However, opposition from varied quarters turned a stumbling block.

But the scenario modified lately. The Krishna River Management Board’s committee on Chennai’s water provide, in all its 4 conferences over the previous two years, had mentioned the topic. In its inaugural assembly in January 2019, the panel, comprising of representatives of all of the basin States aside from Tamil Nadu, itself made the suggestion of laying pipelines from Kandaleru or Srisailam, and indicated that it was for Tamil Nadu to pursue the matter.

Concept paper

Subsequently, the then Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami made an announcement and an idea paper was ready, outlining totally different choices.

The value of the proposed mission is predicted to be over ₹15,000 crore, if the drawal level is Srisailam, which is the farthest and about 410 km away from the inter-State border. The value will probably be round ₹7,300 crore if the drawal level is Somasila and ₹5,400 crore for Kandaleru, which is about 152 km from the border. All these figures have been labored out, with out taking into consideration the price of land acquisition.

One necessary characteristic of the mission is that the water will circulate by gravity. In the sunshine of latest developments within the manufacturing of pipes, an skilled says it’s doable to design a pipeline that may carry 500 cubic ft per second (cusecs). Subject to elements, together with feasibility, there will be two pipelines, which can carry totally what the prevailing Kandaleru-Poondi canal can carry.

To make the proposal a actuality, Tamil Nadu could have to construct on its authentic settlement of 1983 with Andhra Pradesh, and signal a supplemental settlement with the latter.

Lower requirement

There is one view amongst water consultants in Tamil Nadu that given the continuing controversy between the 2 States of the Krishna river basin, the purpose of water drawal at Srisailam for Chennai’s water provide must be lowered from the current top of 854 ft.

If the 2 basin States carry on resorting to water drawal by means of pumping for their very own causes, it might take longer than the conventional for the water degree of Srisailam to attain the current prescribed top for supplying to Chennai. As Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are eager on pumping water from the dam for assembly their necessities, they are often persuaded to draw some extra water that may be set aside for Chennai.