While farmers in Palamuru, Nalgonda and Rangareddy struggle for water, the Revanth Reddy government remains silent

The BRS has accused the Revanth Reddy government of failing to protect Telangana's share of Krishna waters amid allegations of diversion through Andhra Pradesh's Veligonda Project. Harish Rao demanded intervention by the Centre and action by the Krishna River Management Board

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has lashed out at the Revanth Reddy government for remaining silent over Andhra Pradesh’s alleged diversion of River Krishna waters through the Veligonda Project.

The Congress government has failed to protect Telangana’s legitimate share of River Krishna waters, and its silence amounts to a grave injustice to the farmers of the State, BRS Deputy Floor Leader T Harish Rao charged.

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Taking to X, he said that as Telangana was facing irrigation challenges, the Andhra Pradesh government was allegedly diverting River Krishna waters through the Veligonda Project despite the absence of an established allocation and adequate flood flows.

“Instead of questioning this diversion and protecting Telangana’s water rights, the Revanth Reddy government has chosen to remain silent,” Harish Rao said.

This comes at a time when several major projects in Telangana’s Krishna basin, including Bheema, Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu and Koilsagar, are facing severe water shortages, leaving their ayacuts dependent on inadequate supplies.

The alleged diversion through Malyala, Muchumarri, Pothireddypadu, the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal and now the Veligonda Project raises serious questions about the protection of Telangana’s water rights, he pointed out.

“This is a direct injustice to farmers in Palamuru, Rangareddy, Nalgonda and other parts of Telangana. The Chief Minister should explain why water that should be secured for Telangana’s farmers is being allowed to flow elsewhere,” Harish Rao demanded.

He also questioned the role of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), saying that the institution responsible for overseeing the utilisation of Krishna waters cannot remain a mute spectator when Telangana’s interests are at stake.

Harish Rao demanded that Union Minister G Kishan Reddy immediately intervene and ensure that the KRMB takes the necessary action to protect Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna waters.

The BRS leader further demanded that the Centre ensure adequate water is made available to Telangana’s Krishna basin projects and that the irrigation requirements of farmers in Palamuru, Nalgonda, Rangareddy and other affected districts are protected.