Yeleru Canal Water Diversion Sparks Row in Visakhapatnam

Gangarao, CPM floor leader in Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, has opposed the State government’s plan to divert water from the Yeleru Canal to the proposed ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel plant in Anakapalli. He warned that the move could disrupt the drinking water supply in Visakhapatnam.

In a letter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Gangarao termed the decision unfair and urged its withdrawal.

The Yeleru canal supplies water to both the city and the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. Any diversion will reduce supply for residents. At present, the city uses about 33 MGD. Plans to draw more water at Sarabhannapalem could add pressure on the system. Nearly 25 lakh people within the GVMC limits may face the impact. Operations at the steel plant could also be affected.

Under VISCO allocations, 80 MGD is supplied in total. GVMC receives 36 MGD, while the steel plant gets 32 MGD. Other industries, including NTPC and Adani Gangavaram Port, share the remaining supply.

GVMC, the steel plant, and NTPC jointly spent ₹350 crore on the Godavari drinking water pipeline project. They hold a rightful share in the supply. Gangarao alleged that the government now plans to divert 33 MGD by cutting existing allocations to serve the proposed plant and the Nakkapalli Bulk Drug Park.

Such a move will hit both the public water supply and industrial activity. The government should not reallocate water meant for existing users, he said. He also pointed out that a ₹660 crore pipeline project, funded by the Asian Development Bank to improve city supply, is now being linked to the new steel plant.

The GVMC council did not discuss this proposal. Authorities cleared it without council approval. Gangarao urged the Chief Minister to clarify, during his visit to Nakkapalli for the AM/NS plant foundation ceremony, that water from the Yeleru reservoir will not be diverted.

He warned that the decision could create serious problems for both the drinking water supply and industry. He demanded its immediate withdrawal.