The Godavari-Cauvery river linking project hit roadblocks as the NWDA rejected Telangana’s and Karnataka’s demands for a larger water share. With unresolved disputes, opposition from multiple states, and no MoU in place, experts warn the project’s goals could be delayed
The Godavari–Cauvery river interlinking project is facing stiff resistance from riparian states, particularly Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, over concerns of water diversion from Chhattisgarh’s allocation. Meanwhile, Telangana has softened its stance by agreeing to Inchampalli as the diversion point.
Andhra Pradesh rejected Telangana’s move to make Inchampalli the source point for the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project, insisting on Polavaram instead. The objection, raised at an NWDA meeting, highlighted growing conflicts among partner states over water allocations and project boundaries
The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) will meet on August 22 to discuss the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project, which includes the controversial diversion of Godavari waters. The outcome of this meeting could have significant implications for Telangana's water rights and its relations with neighboring states.
The National Water Development Agency has ruled out the possibility of enhancing the water shares of States from the 148 TMC sought to be diverted by linking the Godavari and Pennar rivers and emphasised consensus approach to serve national interests.
Even as it is feared that Telangana could stand to lose to a great extent, Tamil Nadu is expected to gain and the issue could potentially ignite a major conflict between the two States.
On Friday, all the states within the Godavari basin unanimously agreed, in principle, to proceed with two crucial components of Phase I in the Interlinking of Rivers Project. A near-consensus was achieved during the NWDA task force meeting at Jala Soudha.
Engineer-in-Chief C Muralidhar wrote to NWDA asking it to consider the proposal only after the completion or at least active construction of the Mahanadi- Godavari link of Inter-Linking of Rivers project in due course.
