Hyderabad: The Union Jal Shakti Ministry has ordered a study to assess drainage congestion in six major streams in Telangana due to the Polavaram Project. Meanwhile, the Telangana Government is preparing to challenge the Andhra Pradesh Government at an important meeting in the city on June 24 about the Godavari-Kaveri Link Project.
Telangana’s irrigation officials plan to voice strong objections at the meeting regarding the Polavaram and Godavari-Banakacharla Projects initiated by Andhra Pradesh. They argue that Andhra Pradesh is undertaking these significant projects on the Godavari River without specific water allocations. The officials also find the central government’s proposal for the Godavari-Kaveri river link problematic, given the unresolved water disputes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The union government is urged to prioritize resolving these water disputes and develop a comprehensive plan for the river linking project. Telangana officials will inform the Task Force Chairman and CWC Chairman about Andhra Pradesh’s overuse of Godavari waters, seeking fair treatment for Telangana.
Telangana has already filed complaints with the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) against Andhra Pradesh’s ‘illegal’ projects and is pressing the central government to immediately halt these developments.
In parallel, the Jal Shakti Ministry has instructed the CWC to conduct studies on drainage congestion in six Telangana streams. These studies will involve ground surveys to gather necessary cross-section data of these streams, including Turubaka Vagu, Yetapaka, Edullavagu, Peddavagu, and Domalavagu rivers where they meet the main Godavari River.
The findings from these studies will guide actions to reduce submergence risks in Telangana due to the Polavaram Project.
