Hyderabad: BRS leader Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing to protect Telangana water rights in the Krishna and Godavari river basins and alleged that the state’s interests were being compromised.
Harish Rao, BRS Deputy Floor Leader and former minister, made the remarks at a press conference in the Assembly Media Hall in Hyderabad on Monday. He targeted Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and accused the Congress government of adopting what he called an irresponsible approach in handling river water issues.
According to Harish Rao, the government had failed to defend Telangana water rights during discussions on river water allocations. He alleged that the state’s interests had effectively been “mortgaged” to the government of Andhra Pradesh led by N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The BRS leader compared the current situation with the earlier BRS government led by former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. He said the previous administration had taken several measures to safeguard Telangana water rights and secure the state’s share of river waters.
Harish Rao said the earlier government worked within the framework of the Bachawat Tribunal award to protect Telangana’s allocations. In addition, it pushed major irrigation projects to utilise the state’s share of water.
He stated that about 1,400 TMC of water was available in the Godavari basin. Out of this, he said, Telangana had secured 968 TMC while Andhra Pradesh received 518 TMC. He also claimed that projects designed to utilise nearly 400 TMC of water were initiated during the BRS government.
Telangana water rights row intensifies over Godavari basin allocations
Harish Rao also accused the BJP-led Central government of favouring Andhra Pradesh in river water matters. He alleged that the Centre was supporting attempts to divert water that rightfully belonged to Telangana.
He referred to a meeting of irrigation officials from both states held in New Delhi on January 30. According to him, Andhra Pradesh had argued that the Godavari basin did not have specific state-wise allocations.
However, he criticised the Telangana government for not responding to the meeting minutes even after more than a month. He questioned whether the state government had effectively conceded Telangana water rights by remaining silent.
Harish Rao also raised questions about the role of the Central Water Commission and the Godavari River Management Board. He said tribunal-based allocations formed the basis for approvals granted to multiple irrigation projects in the basin.
Further, the BRS leader alleged that Andhra Pradesh was now seeking nearly 775 TMC of Godavari water. Therefore, he warned that Telangana water rights faced a serious threat if the state government failed to respond firmly.
He urged the Congress government to take immediate steps to defend Telangana water rights in both the Krishna and Godavari river basins. According to him, the state must present a strong response to the Centre and protect its allocated share of river waters.