Mysore: Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on May 27 expressed surprise over Andhra Pradesh's opposition to the construction of a barrage across Chitravati river at Paragodu village in Kolar district and reiterated that the project is meant only for providing drinking water for Bagepalli and Gudibanda townships in the district.

When his attention was drawn at a media conference to the report of Telugu Desam MPs representing to President and Prime Minister on the issue and seeking the Centre's intervention to stop work, Krishna reacted, saying he was surprised over the act of MPs.

He made it clear that the project is not for irrigation purpose and is only for meeting drinking water requirements of the region.

On the representation to the Centre by three riparian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh for constitution of a tribunal to decide the sharing of surplus waters of Krishna river under 'B' scheme, Krishna said the state's stand was that scheme 'A' was not at all negotiable.

Karnataka is "totally opposed and it will oppose tooth and nail" any move to rake up the question of sharing any surplus water under 'A' scheme, he said.

Krishna assured Mysoreans that he would give instructions to expedite work on development of airport by acquiring 50 more acres at Mandakali on the outskirts of Mysore.

PTI