Hyderabad: The Telangana government is expected to skip a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday. This meeting, organized by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, aims to address water-sharing disputes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The controversy centers around the Banakacherla river-linking project, which is on the agenda.
Telangana officials, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, were invited to discuss these disputes. However, they are upset about the inclusion of the Banakacherla lift irrigation project, proposed by Andhra Pradesh. Telangana wants the project removed from the agenda.
In a firm letter to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry Secretary, Telangana Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao argued against discussing the Polavaram-Banakacherla project. He stated that it lacks necessary approvals and violates several laws and tribunal decisions.
Rao highlighted that the project goes against the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980 and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. These violations involve changing water allocations and project operations without proper consultations. The project also lacks clearances from the Central Water Commission (CWC), Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), and the Apex Council.
Telangana has asked the Centre to consider its pending irrigation projects instead. These projects need approval and financial support. Telangana argues that the Banakacherla project would harm its interests and has communicated its objections to the Centre. They also requested a water allocation of 80 TMC for the Pranahita project on the Godavari River.
The Telangana government plans to increase efforts to secure its rightful share of Krishna and Godavari river waters. They aim to get Central approvals for their Krishna river projects and settle water allocations, seeking financial aid.
Telangana criticized the previous BRS regime for not securing its share of Krishna waters over 10 years. The BRS government had accepted a share of 299 TMC for Telangana while Andhra Pradesh received 512 TMC. Telangana alleges that the BRS government was passive while Andhra diverted water and constructed illegal projects.
