Harish Rao warns Revanth Reddy against compromising on Telangana water rights

BRS leader T Harish Rao has accused the Congress government of failing to protect Telangana’s water rights and demanded immediate intervention against Karnataka’s projects on the Tungabhadra River, warning of adverse impacts on irrigation schemes and drinking water supplies.

Hyderabad: BRS Legislature Party deputy leader and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing to protect Telangana’s water rights. He demanded that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy immediately intervene to stop Karnataka’s alleged illegal projects on Tungabhadra River.

He urged the State government to formally object to Karnataka’s projects before the Central Water Commission (CWC), Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and the Union Jal Shakti Ministry. He demanded that the government ensure strict enforcement of Bachawat Tribunal provisions, and, if necessary, move the Supreme Court to protect Telangana’s interests.

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In a five-page letter written to the Chief Minister, Harish Rao criticised that the present Congress government was jeopardising Telangana’s interests by remaining silent over the ongoing construction of projects by the Karnataka government upstream of the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS). He questioned whether the State government tacitly approved Karnataka’s Kurdi Lift Irrigation Scheme and the proposed bridge-cum-barrages at Chikkalaparvi and Chikkalmanchi on Tungabhadra River.

The BRSLP deputy leader sought an explanation for Karnataka allegedly issuing No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the Kodangal Lift Irrigation Scheme and asked whether Telangana’s water rights were used as a bargaining tool. He alleged that despite Karnataka proceeding with construction activities, including intake structures that were reportedly 60 per cent complete, the Congress government in Telangana had neither objected nor taken up the matter with the authorities concerned over the last year.

He contended that the projects, if completed, would significantly reduce inflows to the RDS and affect irrigation in Telangana. He alleged that Karnataka was already utilising water beyond its allocated share of 1.2 TMCft and warned that the new projects could further diminish Telangana’s entitlement, rendering the RDS ineffective.

Harish Rao also accused the State government of failing to challenge projects being undertaken without approvals from the CWC, KRMB, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He questioned the reasons behind the Congress government’s inaction and sought clarity on any alleged understandings between Telangana and Karnataka.

The former Irrigation Minister said the impact would extend beyond the RDS, affecting the Thummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme, Bhima Project, Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme and drinking water needs across the undivided Mahabubnagar region. He argued that reduced inflows into the Srisailam reservoir, could have long-term consequences for Telangana’s irrigation and water security.

Harish Rao reminded that Telangana had historically suffered due to diversion of Krishna and Godavari River waters in undivided Andhra Pradesh and that the BRS government had reversed this trend after the State formation, by expanding irrigation and transforming drought-prone regions such as Palamuru.

He said the Congress government neglected the RDS Phase-II works initiated by the previous BRS government and had weakened the Bhima Project by diverting water allocations to the proposed Kodangal Lift Irrigation scheme.

Warning against any compromise on Telangana’s water rights, Harish Rao said the BRS would continue its struggle to safeguard every drop of water due to the State and protect the interests of farmers in Palamuru and other affected regions.