Telangana reaffirms stand on Godavari–Cauvery link, rejects Andhra’s Polavaram route

Telangana strongly opposed Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to divert Godavari waters from Polavaram to the Cauvery at a Delhi meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil. Chief Engineer K. Prasad argued the plan violates the Reorganisation Act, Tribunal award, and interstate agreements, benefiting AP and Tamil Nadu disproportionately.

Hyderabad: Telangana has adhered firmly to the position held by the erstwhile BRS government, emerging as a strong opposing voice in the crucial Delhi meeting on the Godavari-Cauvery river interlinking project.

At the special committee meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, alongside the 39th general meeting of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA), Telangana vehemently rejected Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to divert waters from Polavaram via Penakacherla-Somasila to the Cauvery.

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Led by Chief Engineer K. Prasad, Telangana argued that this alternative would mainly benefit Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, undermining a national approach. Prasad asserted the proposal violates the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, Godavari Tribunal award, and 1980 interstate agreement, demanding its rejection.

Telangana conditionally supported the original Inchampalli diversion but insisted on 50% of transferred waters and a similar share in Karnataka’s Bedti-Varda link. Godavari Basin Deputy Director Subrahmanya Prasad represented the state.

The Union Minister, Patil stressed consensus for any decision and announced that a meeting of Chief Ministers of all the states concerned, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, would be held soon.

The NWDA plan involves diverting 148 TMC unused Chhattisgarh Godavari waters from Inchampalli to Nagarjunasagar, Somasila, and Araniyar, plus 18.5 TMC from Bedti-Varda, totalling 166.5 TMC benefiting states of Telangana ( 43.65 TMC), Andhra Pradesh ( 43.86 TMC), Tamil Nadu ( 40.93 TMC), (Karnataka: 34.40 TMC – now seeking 40 TMC) and Puducherry ( 2.19 TMC).