Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has written to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Jagan Mohan Reddy, expressing disappointment over the neighbouring State’s decision to approve the construction of two reservoirs across the Kosasthalaiyar near Mukkalakandigai and Katharapalli villages in Chittoor district.
Mr. Stalin said the decision had caused great anguish among the people living in areas in and around Chennai, who depend on the river for drinking water and, to a small extent, for irrigation. “You may be aware that the Kosasthalaiyar river basin and Kosasthalaiyar river are inter-State in nature. The river basin covers a total area of 3,727 sq. km. of which 877 sq. km. lies in Andhra Pradesh and 2,850 sq. km. lies in Tamil Nadu. The Poondi reservoir has been constructed across the Kosasthalaiyar river, which is a vital source of drinking water supply to the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Any construction of new reservoirs across the river, its tributaries or sub-tributaries will affect the inflows into Poondi reservoir. This would seriously affect the drinking water supply to Chennai city, besides affecting the drinking water supply in the upper reaches,” Mr. Stalin said.
