CM Revanth failing to protect Telangana’s water rights: Harish Rao

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Former minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader Harish Rao on Monday  strongly criticised Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for remaining silent while Andhra Pradesh is allegedly diverting Krishna waters through the Veligonda Project.

In a statement posted on ‘X’, Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing to protect Telangana’s legitimate share of Krishna waters and said its silence amounted to a grave injustice to the farmers of the state.

At a time when Telangana is facing increasing irrigation challenges, the Andhra Pradesh government is allegedly diverting Krishna waters through Veligonda despite the absence of an established allocation and adequate flood flows. Instead of questioning this diversion and protecting Telangana’s water rights, the Revanth Reddy government has chosen to remain silent, Harish Rao said.

He pointed out that several major projects in Telangana’s Krishna basin, including Bheema, Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu and Koilsagar, are facing severe water shortages, leaving their ayacuts dependent on inadequate supplies.

“On one side, Telangana’s own Krishna basin projects are struggling for water and farmers are suffering. On the other, Krishna waters are being diverted beyond the basin to Andhra Pradesh. Why is the Revanth Reddy government silent?” Harish Rao questioned.

He said the alleged diversion through Malyala, Muchumarri, Pothireddypadu, the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal and now Veligonda raises serious questions about the protection of Telangana’s water rights.

“This is a direct injustice to farmers in Palamuru, Rangareddy, Nalgonda and other parts of Telangana. The Chief Minister should explain why water that should be secured for Telangana’s farmers is being allowed to flow elsewhere,” Harish Rao said.

The BRS leader also questioned the role of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), saying that the institution responsible for overseeing the utilisation of Krishna waters cannot remain a mute spectator when Telangana’s interests are at stake.

“If the KRMB itself remains a spectator while Telangana’s water rights are being undermined, who will protect the interests of Telangana?” he asked.

He also demanded that Union Minister Kishan Reddy immediately intervene and ensure that the KRMB takes necessary action to protect Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna waters.