Revanth Reddy, Uttam Kumar urge Centre to reject pre-feasibility report of Banakacharla project

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy urge Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil to reject Andhra Pradesh’s Banakacharla project proposal, citing violations of water-sharing agreements. They also seek urgent permissions for Telangana’s key irrigation projects

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Thursday urged Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil to reject the pre-feasibility report of the Godavari-Banakacharla project proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government.

They said the project was against the interests of Telangana and was being pursued in violation of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award of 1980 and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

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“AP claims the Banakacharla project is based on utilisation of floodwaters from the Godavari, but the truth is that there is no mention of floodwaters or surplus waters in the GWDT-1980,” Revanth Reddy told the Union Minister. He also pointed out that the Centre was expediting clearances for Andhra Pradesh projects while neglecting Telangana’s proposals.

“The Centre’s biased approach in granting permissions is creating misunderstandings and conflicts between the two States,” the Chief Minister said. He appealed to the Union Minister to immediately grant permissions and water allocations to the Palamuru-Ranga Reddy, Sammakka-Sarakka and Thummidihetti projects.

Further, Revanth Reddy and Uttam Kumar Reddy requested both CR Patil and the Andhra Pradesh government to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) allowing Telangana to utilise 1,000 TMC of Godavari water and 500 TMC of Krishna water.

“Utilising 1,500 TMC of water will help irrigate 1.50 crore acres in Telangana,” Revanth Reddy said, asserting that the Telangana government would not oppose Andhra Pradesh’s projects if Telangana’s demands were fulfilled.

Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Union Minister had responded positively to the requests. “He clarified that the DPR related to Banakacharla has not yet been received by the Ministry. He also assured that an Apex Council meeting will be convened soon,” Uttam Kumar Reddy said.