Longstanding Telangana- AP Krishna water dispute takes a new turn

TS pleads for unified approach by the Tribunal, AP opposes

Hyderabad: The longstanding water dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states has taken a new turn with Telangana’s recent plea before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal. Telangana has requested the Tribunal to consider the pleadings, evidence, and documents from both states as a common record for adjudication. The state also requested the Tribunal to consider the reference under Section 89 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2023, and pass any further orders deemed fit in the interests of justice.

Telangana‘s plea includes a demand for project-wise specific allocations of water resources. This is in line with the new Terms of Reference (ToR) issued under the Inter-state River Water Disputes (IRWD) Act, 1956, which allows for a wider scope, including reallocation of water for ongoing and new projects.

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The new ToR requires the Tribunal to determine an operational protocol for the project-wise release of water in the event of deficit flows. This is crucial for ensuring fair distribution during periods of water scarcity. Telangana has raised concerns about the diversion of Godavari water to the Krishna River by Andhra Pradesh through the Polavaram project.

While Telangana welcomed the new ToR, which its officials believed would help address their concerns, AP responded to it by voicing concern. Andhra Pradesh has opposed Telangana’s plea, arguing that the new ToR and tribunal are unnecessary since previous agreements on water sharing among Krishna River riparian states already exist.

According to the reply given by Andhra Pradesh to the tribunal, the instruction given by the centre under section 3 of the inter-state water disputes act and the guidelines issued under section 89 of the AP Reorganisation Act in respect of Krishna River water sharing are different and they were misinterpreted.

The centre has issued the further terms of reference to the tribunal on October 6, 2023, under section 3 of the Inter-state Water Disputes act. AP approached the Supreme Court on October 31 last year challenging the fresh terms of reference.

The apex court, however, suggested AP on November 7, 2023, to present its arguments before the tribunal pending its writ petition, which would be subject to the final verdict. AP contended that the arguments cannot be heard together by the tribunal as desired by Telangana as its writ petition is still pending before the Supreme Court.