Andhra to push for dismantling of Babli dam in SC tomorrow

Andhra Pradesh government would plead tomorrow in the Supreme Court seeking dismantling of the controversial Babli irrigation project built by neighbouring Maharashtra across Godavari river.

AP will present its case for dismantling of the project, when the case comes up for final hearing in Supreme Court tomorrow, State Major Irrigation Minister P Sudarshan Reddy told reporters at the end of an all-party meeting in Hyderabad today.
 The government held an all-party meeting on the eve of the final hearing in the top court to elicit views of various parties on the line of argument to be taken by the state on the Babli issue.
 A resolution was adopted at the meeting totally opposing the construction of Babli project.
 During the hearing on the case last week, the Supreme Court wanted AP government to clearly spell out what it wanted to do now that Maharashtra had already built the dam.
 Protecting the irrigation command area under Sriram Sagar project and safeguarding the interests of Telangana region are our main objectives. All parties echoed this view, the Irrigation Minister said.
  He said the state would have no objection to Maharashtra utilizing 1.09 tmc ft of water for drinking needs.
  The government's standpoint would be conveyed to senior counsel Mohan Parasaran, who has been arguing the states case in the Supreme Court.
  We hope to win the case, Sudarshan Reddy observed.
  AP and Maharashtra have been engaged in a legal as well as a political battle for the past few years over the construction of Babli project that could store 7.5 tmc ft of water.
  The Maharashtra government went ahead with construction of the dam and also installed the crest gates despite an interim order by Supreme Court banning any such activity.
  The Central Water Commission too objected to the construction of Babli project. Though both AP and Maharashtra are ruled by Congress, a political solution remained elusive as both government stuck to their respective stands.
  The case is posted for final hearing in the Apex Court tomorrow.

( with PTI inputs)