Hyderabad: Telangana has strongly opposed Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Godavari-Banakacharla project, alleging that it violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act. Telangana has urged the Central government to halt the project and refrain from approving funds or tenders for it.
Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy wrote to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, highlighting several concerns. The government released these letters on Saturday.
Minister Reddy stated that Andhra Pradesh plans to divert 200 TMC of Godavari floodwaters to the Penna basin in Rayalaseema, with a reservoir at Bollapally in Guntur district. Andhra Pradesh is seeking ₹80,112 crores in central funds under the Reorganization Act for this project.
The Telangana minister emphasized that Andhra Pradesh had neither sought technical approval from the Central Water Commission (CWC) nor consulted Telangana as required under the Reorganization Act. He argued that Andhra Pradesh’s claim of surplus water is baseless, as Telangana’s projects with a net allocation of 968 TMC from the 1,486 TMC of Godavari water remain pending approval.
“This project threatens Telangana’s water rights and contradicts the principles of natural justice,” said Reddy, urging immediate intervention to stop Andhra Pradesh from proceeding.
