Chandrababu Naidu opposes Telangana projects on Krishna again

Amid rising tensions over river sharing, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has accused Telangana of launching 42 unauthorised Krishna projects, marking a sharp shift from his earlier cooperative stance. Telangana calls the allegations politically driven and defends its drought-relief initiatives.

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who once portrayed himself as a proponent of mutual cooperation on shared river resources, has now taken a different stance against Telangana projects amid escalating tensions over equitable water sharing.

A fresh controversy erupted with a formal complaint from Andhra Pradesh to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, demanding a halt to Telangana’s construction of 16 new irrigation projects outlined in a September 16 Government Order. AP officials accuse Telangana of initiating 42 unauthorized projects on the Krishna River since the 2014 bifurcation, bypassing approvals from the Central Water Commission (CWC), Apex Council, and Krishna River Management Board (KRMB).

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Naidu’s administration argues these ventures unfairly divert water, depriving Andhra Pradesh of its rightful allocation. “Unilateral actions by Telangana are causing considerable injustice,” the letter emphasized, calling for central intervention to enforce clearances. This aggressive posture contrasts sharply with Naidu’s earlier positions.

Just six months ago, on June 19, Naidu had dismissed Telangana’s objections to Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Rs 81,900 Crore Godavari-Banakacherla Lift Irrigation Project as an ‘unnecessary hue and cry’. He defended the initiative, insisting it utilized ‘waste’ Godavari waters otherwise lost to the sea, posing no harm to Telangana.

The Centre convened a joint meeting with Jal Shakti Minister to mediate, where Naidu positioned Andhra Pradesh as the aggrieved State, focusing on floodwater utilization without infringing on others.

By July 3, Naidu apparently softened his stand further toward Telangana’s endeavours. He publicly vowed not to oppose Telangana’s Godavari irrigation projects, such as the massive Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, emphasizing the need for “mutual consultation” with the Centre for legal validity. Recalling his contributions to Telangana projects in undivided Andhra Pradesh, like Devadula Lift that benefited north Telangana districts, Naidu indicated cooperation and advocated dialogue over discord.

“I will not oppose Telangana’s projects,” he stated, highlighting shared developmental goals. Critics attribute this apparent shift to political exigencies.

While Naidu described AP’s projects as harmless, his administration tried to project Telangana’s new initiatives as the ones infringing on AP’s water rights. Telangana sources defend their initiatives as vital for drought-hit areas like Nalgonda and Mahabubnagar and accused AP of dual standards.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 intended to resolve such disputes through bodies like KRMB, but in implementation there was no headway. Experts warn that Naidu’s oscillating stands could prolong litigation, delaying irrigation benefits for millions.