Telangana cautious on Inchampalli-Nagarjuna Sagar link project, demands safeguards

Telangana has signalled conditional openness to the Inchampalli-Nagarjuna Sagar link project, raising concerns over water rights, cost-sharing, and environmental impacts. While the State views it as an alternative to the Godavari-Banakacherla scheme, it insists on safeguards and legal clarity firs

Hyderabad: Even as it strongly opposed the Godavari-Banakacharla link proposed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana has indicated conditional openness to the Inchampalli-Nagarjuna Sagar link, another major inter-basin transfer scheme under the Godavari-Cauvery river linkage.

However, the State is viewing this project with heightened caution due to serious concerns raised by irrigation experts over water security, submergence risks, and a skewed cost-benefit model.

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Telangana fears the project could jeopardise its rightful share of Godavari waters, citing its substantial catchment area and irrigation needs. Post-bifurcation distrust remains a key factor, with Telangana accusing Andhra Pradesh of encroaching on its water rights.

The scars from the bitter standoff at the Nagarjuna Sagar project in October 2023, where AP police took control of 13 out of 26 crest gates, are yet to heal. Telangana’s operational control over the project has not been restored.

What is the Inchampalli–Nagarjuna Sagar Link Project?

The project proposes to divert around 148 TMC ft of Godavari waters to the Krishna basin, with downstream transfers to the Pennar and Cauvery basins. Its design includes a 299.256 km canal, a 9.15 km tunnel, four-stage pumping stations lifting water by 107 metres, and a 975 MW powerhouse at Inchampalli.

The benefits include irrigation for Telangana’s Kakatiya Canal Stage-II and Andhra Pradesh’s Srisailam Left Bank Canal, as well as drinking and industrial water supply.

Water allocation under the project stands at around 44 TMC ft each for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, 16 TMC ft for Karnataka, and 41 TMC ft for Tamil Nadu.

However, Telangana has strongly objected to the cost-sharing model, which places a disproportionate 78.1% burden on the State, despite it drawing only about 80 TMC ft. Officials argue that AP, a tail-end beneficiary in both the Godavari and Krishna basins, would benefit disproportionately by addressing water shortages in Rayalaseema and coastal districts.

While Andhra Pradesh claims that the scheme merely diverts surplus floodwaters — up to 200 TMC ft annually — which would otherwise drain into the sea, Telangana contends that even these floodwaters must be carefully apportioned, as upper riparian States have priority.

Environmental and social concerns further complicate the issue. Telangana has flagged the potential for large-scale submergence and displacement. As a mitigation measure, it has proposed shifting the intake point upstream of Inchampalli to avoid conflict with the Sammakka–Sarakka barrage and reduce land acquisition needs.

Crucially, the State insists that any inter-basin diversion project should wait until the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II adjudicates on water sharing, ensuring Telangana’s rights are protected. It has also opposed AP’s unilateral actions on similar projects and sought intervention from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB).

The Telangana Cabinet is expected to discuss the project in detail on Monday, weighing its potential benefits against risks. While the Congress-led government appears to favour the Inchampalli–Nagarjuna Sagar project over the more controversial Godavari–Banakacherla link, tensions between the two States are likely to persist unless AP takes steps to rebuild trust.

Irrigation experts from the State are watchful of the Revanth Reddy’s government moves and they cautioned that without addressing Telangana’s concerns, the Inchampalli-Nagarjuna sagar Link Project would face the risk of becoming another flashpoint adding to the conflict over water sharing.