Hyderabad: BRS deputy floor leader and former minister T. Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of compromising Telangana water rights by failing to protect the state’s interests in the Krishna and Godavari river basins. Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao alleged that the government had prioritised political considerations over safeguarding Telangana’s share of river waters.
He claimed that while the previous BRS government secured approvals for major irrigation projects, the present administration was surrendering the state’s interests before the Centre and neighbouring states.
Telangana water rights at risk, says Harish Rao
Harish Rao questioned the government’s celebration of the replacement of gates at the Tungabhadra Dam, saying Telangana’s priority should be securing its rightful share of river water rather than symbolic events.
He alleged that Karnataka was moving ahead with the proposed 35 TMC Naveli Reservoir upstream of the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), while Andhra Pradesh planned the 20 TMC Gundrevula Project downstream. According to Harish Rao, the combined storage capacity of these projects could significantly reduce inflows into the Srisailam Reservoir and affect irrigation schemes, including the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project.
The BRS leader alleged that the Telangana government had failed to oppose either project or take adequate steps to protect the state’s interests.
Telangana water rights and pending irrigation issues
Harish Rao questioned whether the Chief Minister had secured Telangana’s claimed 15.90 TMC allocation under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme. He also sought clarification on the permanent closure of alleged unauthorised Andhra Pradesh outlets on the RDS and repairs to the canal system and dam.
He further questioned what transpired during the closed-door meeting attended by the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, along with a senior Union Water Resources official, claiming that Telangana’s Irrigation Minister and senior irrigation officials were not present.
Harish Rao also alleged that Karnataka had begun constructing three unauthorised barrages on the Tungabhadra River without statutory approvals. He criticised the Telangana government for not raising objections before the Centre or the Krishna River Management Board.
The former minister further alleged that the Congress government had failed to secure approvals for pending irrigation projects. He also expressed concern that proposed Godavari river-linking plans could adversely affect Telangana’s interests and projects such as Sammakka Sagar, which is expected to irrigate nearly four lakh acres in Warangal and Nalgonda districts.