Godavari-Banakacherla Project triggers fears of Telangana again losing share of water
The project is expected to have serious ramifications, but its realisation depends on the perspective and approach of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar
Hyderabad: The Godavari-Banakacherla project could raise riparian concerns right at the proposal stage as it is feared to affect not only Telangana, but other regions as well. The project is expected to have serious ramifications, but its realisation depends on the perspective and approach of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-2, headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar.
Proposed with an estimated cost of Rs.80,122 crore, it seeks to address the water woes in the Krishna basin using Godavari waters. According to river water experts, it is going to be yet another pandora’s box being opened by Andhra Pradesh, adding to the conflict situation over water sharing with any water drawn from the Godavari to replenish the Krishna basin likely to result in a genuine entitlement for all the riparian States involved.
The Congress government in the State had already approached the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) for detailed information about the project proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government. However, the GRMB is still in the dark about the new project and it will take at least three months for the AP government to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Once the DPR is presented to the Godavari board and the Central Water Commission (CWC), the process of looking into the concerns of the upper riparian States will begin, GRMB officials said. Water will be diverted from the Polavaram project to the Krishna River, at an estimated cost of Rs 13,511 crore in Stage I. In Phase II, the Bollapalli reservoir will be constructed to facilitate water transfer, costing Rs 28,560 crore.
In Phase III, water will be diverted from Bollapalli to Banakacharla at a cost of Rs 38,041 crore. Banakacharla in Kurnool district will serve as the gateway to Rayalaseema, benefiting not only the Rayalaseema districts but also Nellore and Prakasam.
Telangana has genuine concerns, as it has been deprived of its rightful water share in the Krishna River over the last 10 years, with the Pothireddypadu head regulator continually increasing its volume of water drawn each year. Now, Telangana views the Godavari-Banakacherla project as yet another scheme that will deprive the State of its rightful share of water. Approximately 48,000 acres of land need to be acquired in three phases, with funds potentially being raised through a hybrid model involving private companies.
