With the level at the Srisailam reservoir reaching 839 feet, power generation at the Srisailam hydel project might resume soon with officials asking for a go-ahead from the government which is dealing with severe power shortage.
Hydel power generation had been stopped after the AP HC ordered that water should not be released from the reservoir till the level touched 834 feet. Power generation is possible with the level exceeding the HC limit by five feet.
State keeps its options open on water, power
With the Srisailam reservoir receiving an inflow of 4,396 cusecs from the upstream Tungabhadra project, power generation can start. Official sources also said that 15,000 cusecs of water was likely to be released from the Tungabhadra project to the Srisailam project over Saturday and Sunday.
Keeping this in view, APGenco officials have sent the details of water levels and inflows into Srisailam to the government, seeking its approval for power generation. Sources added that that the state government, however, was keeping its options open as the water level at the reservoir was not high enough and the inflows too were not adequate. Furthermore, there is the question of releasing water to the Telugu Ganga project through Pothireddypadu which is not possible unless the level in the reservoir reaches 854 feet.
The state government feels that while power generation is important, water to the Telugu Ganga is equally important. Farmers from the Rayalaseema region and Nellore district have already planted nurseries and are eagerly awaiting the water supply from the Telugu Ganga, SRBC and K-C canals. Water will also have to be released for drinking purposes to Chennai.