Fresh Krishna water row between Telangana, Andhra Pradesh

The role of Krishna River Management Board is under scrutiny for its preferential treatment to Andhra Pradesh at the expense of Telangana

Hyderabad: The fast-dropping water levels in the joint projects on the Krishna River and the acute scarcity conditions prevailing in their ayacut areas have triggered a fresh flare-up in the ongoing water-sharing dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The role of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has come under scrutiny for its perceived soft-pedalling with Andhra Pradesh and the preferential treatment given to it at the expense of Telangana, which is falling short in utilising its entitled share.

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In a strongly worded letter addressed to the KRMB, the Telangana government took strong exception to the board’s decision to call for action plans from both States on the utilisation of water available as part of the current storage of the joint projects – Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar.

Telangana has made it clear that whatever water was left in the two reservoirs must be exclusively allocated for Telangana’s use.

The State argued that Andhra Pradesh has already utilized water above its share, and the remaining water should be treated as Telangana’s exclusive share.

As of January end, Andhra Pradesh had been overusing water from joint reservoirs, and on February 18, it was found that Andhra Pradesh had used 36.67 TMC more than its share.

Andhra Pradesh is still drawing water from these reservoirs, with 10,000 cusecs from Nagarjuna Sagar and 1.5 TMC from Srisailam daily. It is emphasised that as per the ad hoc understanding that was in effect for the last 11 years after State bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh’s share should be 666.68 TMC — 66% of the total water yield of the river so far in the current water year.

Telangana’s share is 343.446 TMC (34%). But as per the Board’s assessment as of February 11, AP is still entitled to 27.03 TMC from the joint projects — Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar.

Telangana was left with a surplus unutilised share of 131.75 TMC. Going by this, both the States would be entitled to another 158.78 TMC of water that can be drawn in the next four months. However, the net availability in the two reservoirs is only 94.4 TMC, as much as 64 TMC less than the summer entitlement of the two States.

Taking serious note of the stand of the Krishna Board over water sharing, Telangana made it amply clear that water available in both reservoirs should be treated as the entitlement of Telangana only.

Attributing this situation to AP’s excessive drawls, year after year, the State insisted that AP should be allowed to avail 27 TMC to meet the summer exigencies if any by drawing from Tungabhadra, Sunkesula, Pulichintala, and Gajuladinne Projects that have over 51.75 TMC as part of their present storage.