Hyderabad: Former irrigation minister and Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao has urged Telangana irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy to oppose Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Godavari-Banakacherla project, warning that it threatens Telangana’s share in river waters.
In a letter on Sunday, Harish Rao flagged that the Rs 80,000 crore project aims to divert 200 TMC of Godavari water to the Penna basin through the Krishna basin infrastructure. He said AP had already submitted a pre-feasibility report to the Centre, and the report was circulated to basin states, including Telangana.
Harish Rao outlined the three-part structure proposed for the project: transfer of water from Polavaram to Prakasam Barrage, from there to a proposed Bollapalli reservoir with 150 TMC capacity, and onward to the Banakacherla regulator complex.
He commended Uttam Kumar Reddy for writing to the Union Jal Shakti Minister opposing the DPR approval and demanding that the Centre block AP from moving forward on the Godavari-Banakacherla project.
Citing irrigation experts, Harish Rao said the link would compromise Telangana’s rights under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which mandates clearances from the Godavari and Krishna boards and the Apex Council for any new projects. He warned that AP was moving unilaterally without informing either Telangana or the boards and was likely to call tenders soon.
He asked the Telangana government to immediately seek an Apex Council meeting, and suggested an all-party or Assembly session to firm up a policy stance.
Harish Rao said that while Telangana has been allocated 969 TMC in Godavari waters based on past orders and GO allocations, actual utilisation has remained below 200 TMC due to incomplete infrastructure. He listed major projects executed since 2014, including Kaleshwaram, Sammakka Sagar, and Medigadda, and said Godavari usage has increased to 600 TMC but is still short of potential.
He pointed out that AP is disputing Telangana’s 969 TMC entitlement and is already lobbying for a tribunal. Harish Rao warned that the Banakacherla project could allow AP to claim rights over diverted water before a tribunal is set up, undermining Telangana’s legal position.
He urged the Telangana government to demand an additional 112.5 TMC in Krishna basin water as compensation under Godavari Tribunal provisions, on top of the already-claimed 45 TMC, and to link this demand with any future discussion on AP’s link project.
He asked Uttam Kumar Reddy to act swiftly and keep politics aside, assuring BRS support on the issue.
కాంగ్రెస్-బీజేపీది చారిత్రక ద్రోహం.. రేవంత్రెడ్డి ప్రభుత్వ మౌనం.
💧 గోదావరి-బనకచర్ల లింక్తో తెలంగాణ జల హక్కులకు గండి కొడ్తున్న ఏపీ
💧 ఇప్పుడు 200.. మున్ముందు 400 టీఎంసీలు తరలించుకుపోయే పన్నాగం
💧 మరో పోతిరెడ్డిపాడులా జీబీ లింక్.. నియంత్రించాల్సిన కేంద్రమే సాయం
— BRS Party (@BRSparty) June 15, 2025
