Amidst intensifying war of words over water sharing, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday termed as `irresponsible and deplorable' his Karnataka counterpart S M Krishna's reported assertion that his government would go ahead with the controversial Chitravathi project despite protests from lower riparian AP.
"It is unfortunate that he (Krishna) has brushed aside our objections to the project and made some sarcastic remarks against our resolve to fight it out," Naidu told reporters here.
The two riparian states are locked in yet another river water dispute over Karnataka's move to construct an anicut across Chitravathi river, near Paragodu in Kolar district, with lower riparian AP terming the project as `unilateral, illegal and violative of inter-state river water agreements'.
Karnataka had, however, denied the charge and contended that the project was meant for drinking water purpose.
Pointing out that the Centre had also directed Karnataka to halt works on the project, Naidu said his government would do everything in its means to protect the state's interests.
"Karnataka had even refused our request for release of stored water from Almatti reservoir to meet drinking water needs of our people. It shows lack of humanitarian approach on their part," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"Karnataka had even refused our request for release of stored water from Almatti reservoir to meet drinking water needs of our people. It shows lack of humanitarian approach on their part," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Earlier last week, a delegation of ruling TDP MPs had petitioned to Prime Minister and President contending that the project would cause `untold misery' to the water-starved villages in Ananthpur district of Andhra Pradesh.