BRS MLA Harish Rao warns of 400 TMC Godavari water loss to Andhra Pradesh

Accuses Congress, BJP of ignoring AP’s Rs 80,000-cr Godavari-Banakacherla project; says it threatens Telangana’s water security; urges immediate State action; vows a legal and public fight if the government fails to act

Hyderabad: Accusing the Congress government in Telangana and BJP leaders from the State of compromising Telangana’s interests by maintaining a “stoic silence” on Andhra Pradesh’s Rs 80,000-crore Godavari-Banakacherla link project, BRS leader and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao on Saturday warned that the project could result in large-scale water diversion — similar to what occurred via the Pothireddypadu head regulator in the Krishna basin — posing serious risks to Telangana’s irrigation and water security.

Addressing a press conference with a detailed PowerPoint presentation, Rao said the project lacks statutory approvals from the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), the Central Water Commission (CWC), and the Apex Council. He claimed that Andhra Pradesh’s plan involves diverting 200 TMC of Godavari water in the first phase, with a proposed expansion to 400 TMC. The project includes a massive offline reservoir at Bollapalli with a gross storage capacity of 150 TMC — three times the size of Telangana’s Mallanna Sagar, the largest reservoir under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

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“Andhra Pradesh claims it will only use surplus flood flows, but this is a pretext,” Rao alleged, accusing AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of expediting the project to establish water usage claims before the proposed Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal becomes operational. He added that AP’s feasibility report includes infrastructure such as tunnels and canals designed to handle 400 TMC, aimed at diverting water to the Krishna basin command areas in Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra.

Rao criticised the Telangana Congress government, particularly Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, for their inaction. “While Krishna waters were plundered, now Godavari waters are being looted through Banakacherla. Revanth Reddy and Uttam Kumar Reddy are silent, busy filing false cases against BRS leaders like KT Rama Rao instead of focusing on irrigation,” he alleged. He questioned the State government’s inaction even as Andhra Pradesh proceeds with tenders and plans to commence construction in July.

“Revanth Reddy may have chosen to remain silent on the AP project out of gratitude for the mentorship he received from Chandrababu Naidu. But this ‘guru dakshina’ should not come at the cost of Telangana’s rightful share of Godavari waters,” Rao remarked.

He also targeted Telangana BJP leaders, including Union Minister G Kishan Reddy and Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay, for failing to defend the State’s interests. “Bandi Sanjay himself admitted in Andhra Pradesh that the Centre gave 10 times more funds to AP than to Telangana. Why are our two union Ministers, eight BJP MPs, and eight Congress MPs silent?” he asked, accusing the Congress of compromising the State’s rights for political gains and ‘friendly ties’ with Andhra Pradesh.

Rao demanded immediate action to halt what he termed an “illegal” project. He urged the State government to convene a special session of the Assembly to pass a resolution opposing the project, lead an all-party delegation to Delhi, and approach the Supreme Court if necessary. “If the Congress government fails to act, the BRS will launch a people’s movement and a legal battle to safeguard Telangana’s rights,” he warned.

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Caution Call

• AP’s Rs 80,000-cr project lacks mandatory approvals from GRMB, CWC, Apex Council
• 150 TMC Bollapalli reservoir planned, three times the size of Telangana’s Mallanna Sagar
• AP plans to divert water via tunnels, canals to Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra
• Harish says Congress, BJP leaders in Telangana are silent, compromising State’s water rights
• Accuses Revanth Reddy of offering “guru dakshina” to Naidu by not opposing the project
• Demands a special Assembly session, legal action, all-party delegation to Delhi