Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government’s proposed Godavari-Bankacherla project has become the latest flashpoint between the Telugu states, reigniting disputes over water allocation from the Krishna and Godavari rivers. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has raised strong objections to the project, stating it violates the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
During a review meeting, Revanth Reddy directed officials to write to Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and the Godavari and Krishna River Management Boards (GRMB and KRMB). He highlighted that AP’s plan to divert 300 TMC feet of Godavari water without prior approval breaches legal protocols. Telangana has also sought an IIT Hyderabad study on Polavaram-induced flooding in Bhadrachalam.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the project in December, aiming to supply drinking water to 80 lakh people and irrigate 7.5 lakh acres. The project involves interlinking Godavari and Krishna rivers and will be executed in three phases using central, state, and private funds.
The Telangana government plans to escalate its objections to ensure fair water distribution as per the AP Reorganisation Act and Inter-State River Water Disputes Act.
