Hyderabad: The Centre constituted a high-level expert committee to resolve the long-pending water dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The disagreements have continued for more than a decade after bifurcation.
The water dispute continued because the Centre did not finalise full water allocations between the two States. Meanwhile, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh repeatedly accused each other of violating norms while constructing irrigation projects. Telangana alleged that Andhra Pradesh undertook illegal works. In response, Andhra Pradesh made similar allegations against Telangana.
As a result, Chief Ministers, Ministers and senior officials raised the water dispute with the Centre several times. However, the issue remained unresolved. Therefore, the Union government decided to intervene and formed a dedicated committee.
Accordingly, the Centre issued orders on the 2nd of this month to constitute a 15-member expert committee under the Union Jal Shakti Ministry. The committee functions under the Central Water Commission. In this context, CWC Chairman Atul Jain will chair the panel and guide discussions on the inter-State water dispute.
Water dispute to dominate agenda of first meeting on 30th
The committee includes senior officials from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and key central agencies. From Telangana, the panel includes retired IAS officer and government advisor Adityanath Das. It also includes Irrigation Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, Special Secretary Prashant Jeevan Patil and Engineer-in-Chief Amjad Hussain.
Similarly, Andhra Pradesh nominated Water Resources Special Chief Secretary Sai Prasad. The State also nominated government advisor Venkateswara Rao, Engineer-in-Chief Narasimha Murthy and the Chief Engineer of the inter-State water resources wing.
In addition, the Centre included the chairpersons of the Krishna River Management Board and the Godavari River Management Board. It also nominated the Chief Engineer of the National Water Development Agency and the Chief Engineer of the Central Water Commission’s Project Appraisal Organisation.
Moreover, the government allowed the panel to co-opt technical experts if required. Project Appraisal Organisation Chief Engineer Rakesh Kumar will serve as the member secretary.
The agenda focuses on resolving the water dispute through data-based discussions. Therefore, both States must submit objections, records and technical details. Meanwhile, the Krishna and Godavari river management boards will provide usage data.
Subsequently, members will examine water use, project operations and sharing mechanisms. Earlier, the CWC chairman directed members to attend with complete documentation.
The committee will hold its first meeting on the 30th in New Delhi. Accordingly, officials scheduled the meeting at the Central Water Commission office in Seva Bhavan. All members will attend the meeting in person.
Meanwhile, Telangana officials plan to raise key concerns linked to the water dispute. These include objections to the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar project. Telangana warned that the project could cause serious losses.
Therefore, the State already approached the Supreme Court. Officials also said the Krishna River water allocation would feature prominently in the talks.