Telangana demands 45 TMC more from Krishna if Andhra diverts Godavari water
HYDERABAD: Telangana Government has asserted before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II that if Andhra Pradesh diverts water from Polavaram to the Krishna Delta Scheme, then 45 TMC of additional water must be allocated to Telangana from the Krishna River.
The state reminded the tribunal that Karnataka and Maharashtra have long demanded a larger share in Krishna waters whenever Godavari water is diverted into the Krishna basin. Telangana pointed out that these two states have argued that if Andhra Pradesh wants to utilise water for second and third crop cycles, it must rely on the Godavari, and not use even a drop from the Krishna.
Telangana further informed the tribunal that Andhra Pradesh had entered into an agreement with Karnataka and Maharashtra in 1978 to resolve such disputes. As per this agreement, of the 80 TMC being diverted from Polavaram to the Krishna Delta, 35 TMC—located upstream of Nagarjuna Sagar—would be allocated to the other two states. The remaining 45 TMC is being utilised by Andhra Pradesh.
Now that Telangana is a separate state, it insisted that Krishna water be allocated in proportion to the quota originally assigned to Andhra Pradesh. These arguments were presented on Thursday before the tribunal by senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, representing Telangana.
He also brought to the tribunal’s attention certain points raised earlier in the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal. Telangana objected to Andhra Pradesh’s ongoing efforts to increase the capacity of Polavaram canals to divert water to Banakacherla, which would allow it to use Nagarjuna Sagar water supplementarily via the GB Link through the right canal.
Telangana’s advocates also argued that Andhra Pradesh was planning to divert water outside the Krishna basin through the GB Link project, as well as through the expansion of the Chintalapudi and Tadipudi lift schemes. They said the Krishna Delta Scheme was initially proposed without mention of drain water, which was later added by modifying the Detailed Project Report.
They demanded that the 152.2 TMC being diverted to the Krishna Delta Scheme must include the drain water as well. Telangana noted that every year, 3,000 to 4,000 TMC of Godavari water flows into the sea, and suggested that this surplus water be diverted outside the basin through the Chintalapudi Scheme. It also stated that water currently being supplied to the tail-end regions of Andhra Pradesh through the Sagar Left Canal could instead be provided via Chintalapudi, thereby allowing the Left Canal water to be used only for in-basin needs.
Further hearings in the matter will continue from May 14 to 16.
Meanwhile, Telangana has requested the Krishna River Management Board to allocate 17 TMC of water for drinking purposes in the state. In a letter sent to the board on Thursday, ANC Anil Kumar stated that, based on population estimates within the Krishna basin, Telangana requires 17 TMC until July. However, he pointed out that only 16 TMC of water remains in Nagarjuna Sagar after accounting for evaporation losses, and urged that all of it be allocated to meet Telangana’s drinking water needs.