Telangana let down again in Krishna river water sharing with Andhra Pradesh

Receives only 28% of water utilised in 2024-25 water year, far below its entitled share of 34%; imbalance raises concerns over unfulfilled promise of equitable water sharing between the two Telugu States

Hyderabad: Telangana has been subjected to disparities in the allocation and utilisation of Krishna river water sharing with Andhra Pradesh from the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects in the water year that ended on May 31. This imbalance has raised concerns over the unfulfilled promise of equitable water sharing between the two Telugu States.

Under an ad hoc arrangement in place for the last 11 years, Telangana was entitled to 34 per cent of the Krishna waters, while AP was allocated 66 per cent of the 811 TMC designated for the undivided State. However, in the 2024-25 water year, the two States collectively utilised 1,015 TMC from the Krishna river projects. AP drew over 730 TMC, while Telangana was limited to approximately 285 TMC, representing just 28 per cent of the total water utilised, far below its entitled share.

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From the Srisailam project, which received cumulative inflows of 1,630 TMC, AP drew 245 TMC, accounting for over 80 per cent of the water utilised, while Telangana received only 50 TMC, or 17 per cent. The Pothireddypadu head regulator, primarily benefiting AP’s Rayalaseema region, alone drew 208 TMC by May 5, the end of the irrigation schedule. Concerns have been raised about the faulty gauge at Pothireddypadu and the lack of proper telemetry, leading to questions about the accuracy of water release measurements.

Additional AP projects, including the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi (30 TMC), Muchumarri Lift Irrigation Scheme (4 TMC) and Chennai Water Scheme (3 TMC), further skewed water utilisation in AP’s favour. In contrast, Telangana’s primary drawls from Srisailam was through the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme, utilising 49 TMC.

This stark disparity has severely impacted Telangana’s irrigation and drinking water needs, particularly in regions dependent on the Krishna basin. Despite Srisailam’s gross storage capacity of 215 TMC, live storage of 49.3 TMC, Telangana’s access to water remains disproportionately limited.

At the Nagarjuna Sagar project, which received cumulative inflows of 1,262 TMC, the two States utilised 217 TMC and 173 TMC, respectively. AP drew 190 TMC from the NSP right canal and 30 TMC from the NSP left canal, leaving Telangana with 122 TMC. Of this, approximately 16 TMC was allocated for Hyderabad’s water supply, 43 TMC for the AMR project and flood flow canal. At the Jurala project, Telangana’s total utilisation was only 41 TMC, with nearly 18 TMC allocated to the Nettempadu, Bhima and Koilsagar schemes.

The imbalance in water allocation has sparked accusations of deprivation and mismanagement, with Telangana stakeholders demanding urgent reforms to ensure equitable water distribution.

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Bone of contention

• AP drew 245 TMC from Srisailam, over 83% of the total
• Telangana was allocated just 50 TMC, severely impacting its irrigation needs
• Pothireddypadu head regulator, benefiting AP, drew 208 TMC, with concerns raised over faulty gauges and lack of telemetry
• At Nagarjuna Sagar, AP utilised 220 TMC (190 TMC from right canal, 30 TMC from left canal)
• Telangana received 122 TMC
• Telangana’s total utilisation at Jurala was 41 TMC, with 18 TMC allocated to Nettempadu, Bhima, Koilsagar schemes, highlighting limited access