Godavari Board excluded from Godavari-Cauvery linking project

Despite the decisive role the Godavari Board has been tasked with in managing the river's resources, it was not at all involved so far in the decision-making process.

Hyderabad: The Godavari River Management Board has expressed concerns over being sidelined in the Godavari-Cauvery linking project. The project, aimed at transferring surplus water from the Godavari River to the Cauvery River has been a point of contention among the States involved.

Despite the decisive role the Godavari Board has been tasked with in managing the river’s resources, it was not at all involved so far in the decision-making process. This exclusion has raised questions about the transparency and inclusivity of the project’s planning and execution.

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The Board has already taken up the issue with the Ministry of Jal Shakti by writing to the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. The Board has to ascertain the feasibility for implementing the Godavari-Cauvery linking project.

The project envisages the diversion of 247 thousand million cubic feet (tmc) of unutilized water from the Indravati sub-basin in the Godavari basin, which includes the share of Chhattisgarh as well. The Board has its task clearly cut out with both the Telugu States coming up with new projects to ensure optimum utilisation of their water share.

The Godavari-Cauvery interlinking project involves constructing canal systems and reservoirs to channel water from Telangana to Tamil Nadu. Telangana has expressed reservations about this project, particularly concerning the construction of the Inchampalli reservoir, which is seen as an alternative to the Medigadda barrage of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP).

The State fears that the project could hinder its ability to utilize its full entitlement to Godavari water. Telangana has been advocating for the inclusion of the Godavari Board in the project’s discussions to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in the decision-making process. The state has stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to address water-sharing issues.

Andhra Pradesh stance Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been a strong proponent of the river linking project. He envisions interlinking rivers to provide irrigation facilities to every acre of land in the state.

Naidu’s ambition includes linking the Godavari and Krishna rivers to reach the Nagarjuna Sagar and Bollapalli reservoirs, ultimately benefiting the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.

TDP MP Lavu Krishnadevarayalu said recently that the Centre government has given the green signal for the river interlinking which will be crucial for quenching the thirst of Rayalaseema. In this backdrop, the Centre is planning to engage in fresh discussions with Telangana and other states to resume the ambitious river linking project.

Despite opposition from Telangana, the Centre is determined to move forward with the project, emphasizing the need for collaboration and consensus among the States involved.