Telangana govt urges Centre to halt Andhra Pradesh’s Godavari-Banakacharla Project

In a letter to the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, the State government argued that this project was highly detrimental to its interests

Hyderabad: The Telangana government has called upon the Centre to halt the Andhra Pradesh government’s Godavari-Banakacharla project, which aims to divert 200 TMC of water from the Godavari basin under the Godavari-Krishna-Penna linking scheme. The Telangana government argued that this project is highly detrimental to its interests.

In a letter addressed to the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, State Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy requested immediate intervention to prevent Andhra Pradesh from awarding tenders for the project’s implementation.

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He also urged the Central Water Commission, Godavari River Management Board, and Krishna River Management Board to refrain from approving the project, citing violations of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and other statutory provisions.

According to the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award of 1980, specific rights were established for the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh.

Following the bifurcation, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana planned and initiated projects in the Godavari basin to utilize 1486 TMC of water.

Telangana’s projects, based on its assured share of 968 TMC, are still awaiting clearances. Minister Reddy emphasized that it would be inappropriate to proceed with projects based on floodwaters without first clearing Telangana’s projects based on assured waters.

He noted that no floodwaters were left as per the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal.

The Telangana government requested the Ministry of Jal Shakti to protect its water rights and ensure that its projects receive the necessary approvals before any new projects are undertaken by Andhra Pradesh.