Hyderabad: The Telangana government is making arrangements for the mega 12-day Godavari Puskharalu from July 14 in the new state. However, it is facing water shortage.
 
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to send a delegation of irrigation officials to Mumbai to request Maharashtra government to release adequate quantity of water for bathing during the Godavari Pushkaralu from its various projects.
 
The Telangana government anticipates water problem at Basar in Adilabad district where the famed Saraswathi temple is located on the banks of Godavari and expects lakhs of people for the holy dip. Similarly, it expects water shortage at Kandakuthri in Nizamabad district.
 
In TS, Godavari Pushkaralu will be held in five districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam. However, officials say they foresee water problem in two districts of Adilabad and Nizamabad during the festivities.
 
On request, Maharashtra government has already lifted the gates of Babli irrigation project on July 1 but Telangana irrigation officials said the quantity of water released is inadequate.
 
“We are seeking release of adequate quantity of water from projects in Maharashtra for the Godavari Puskaralu due to poor rainfall in Telangana and less inflows from upstream. An irrigation department official delegation will visit Mumbai and meet their Maharashtra counterparts in this regard,” Dr K. V. Ramanachary, Advisor to the government told Deccan Chronicle.
 
Mr Ramanachary said the Chief Minister will also speak to his Maharashtra counterpart Devendra Fadnavis in this regard. “Telangana government will request Maharashtra to release waters from Jaikwad, Isapur and other projects. We are expecting huge crowds from day one and water is a must,” he