Telangana to Move SC against AP's Godavari-Krishna Projects: Uttam
Uttam Reddy seeks SC intervention in Krishna-Godavari projects
Hyderabad: Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy has informed that the State government has decided to approach the Supreme Court against two major river interlinking projects proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government - the Godavari-Banakacherla Link Scheme and the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS).
The Minister announced the decision during a high-level review meeting held at Jala Soudha here on Friday. He said both schemes violate established water-sharing agreements and pose a serious threat to Telangana’s irrigation projects and drinking water requirements.
The Minister stated that the projects were being taken up unilaterally by Andhra Pradesh without approvals from the appropriate regulatory authorities.
As part of the legal preparation, a special meeting will be convened shortly with legal experts, Standing Counsels of the Irrigation department and the Advocate General to chalk out the strategy to file a petition in the Supreme Court.
"Telangana will firmly contest the schemes in court to safeguard its rightful share in Godavari and Krishna river waters," he said.
The Godavari-Banakacherla Link Scheme is a massive project proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government at an estimated cost of Rs 80,112 crore. The plan involves diverting 200 TMC of water from the Godavari river at Polavaram to Rayalaseema through the Bollapalli reservoir and Banakacherla head regulator. The proposal seeks to interlink the Godavari, Krishna, and Penna rivers.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that this project directly violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980 and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA) of 2014. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh has not secured mandatory clearances from the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), or the Apex Council.
He said Andhra Pradesh is trying to use Sections 46(2) and 46(3) of APRA, which allow for the development of backward regions, to secure Central funds. However, Uttam Kumar Reddy warned that such provisions cannot override the requirement for statutory approvals and environmental safeguards.
The Minister also raised concern about the safety of Bhadrachalam, a major town located along the Godavari river. He said the large-scale diversion of floodwaters from Polavaram to Rayalaseema could affect the natural flood pattern downstream and put the temple town at risk.
He said that Telangana Government would seek Central assistance for the construction of a protection wall around Bhadrachalam to safeguard the town from future flood threats. During the review meeting, Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed senior officials to act without delay.
