Godavari-Cauvery link proposal raises concern over TG’s interest

metro india news  I hyderabad

Telangana’s irrigation requirements and interstate water rights have come into focus amid concerns over possible changes to the proposed Godavari–Cauvery river-linking project. While earlier proposals reportedly considered diverting water from Ichampalli or Sammakka Sagar through Nagarjuna Sagar, a revised route from Polavaram towards Bollapalli is now being discussed.  The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) is scheduled to discuss the Godavari link at a meeting in New Delhi on November 3. The inclusion of the subject on the agenda has raised expectations of greater clarity on the proposed route, water allocations and the interests of participating states.

Questions over Telangana’s share

The choice of the diversion point and route is crucial because it could affect water storage, distribution and the irrigation benefits available to different regions. Supporters of the earlier route through Ichampalli or Sammakka Sagar and Nagarjuna Sagar have argued that it could provide additional irrigation benefits to parts of Telangana. By contrast, questions remain over the benefits Telangana could receive if the water is diverted from Polavaram towards Bollapalli. Official details regarding the storage capacity, volume of water to be transferred and benefits to individual states will be necessary to assess the implications.

The proposed allocation of 148 TMC of water has also emerged as a key issue. The water is reportedly linked to a proposal to divert water described as unutilized by Chhattisgarh. The allocations being discussed are 43 TMC for Telangana, 44 TMC for Andhra Pradesh, 42.5 TMC for Tamil Nadu, 16 TMC for Karnataka and 2.5 TMC for Puducherry. However, questions remain over the actual availability of these flows, whether the same volume would be available every year, and how upstream utilization, environmental requirements, rainfall variations and river flows would affect the quantity that could be diverted.

Pending irrigation projects add to Telangana’s concerns

Telangana’s water requirements extend beyond irrigation to drinking water, industrial demand and future development needs. According to the claims outlined in the ongoing debate, the earlier route through Ichampalli and Nagarjuna Sagar could potentially provide irrigation to 2,38,236 acres across the erstwhile Warangal, Nalgonda and Rangareddy districts. A detailed technical assessment is needed to determine whether the alternative route could deliver comparable irrigation benefits, where the additional water would be stored and which projects would carry it to agricultural lands.

Concerns have been raised over pending projects associated with approximately 139 TMC of water. Questions have also been raised about water utilization through projects such as Devadula, Kalwakurthy and Kannepalli. Project-wise information on the number of operational pumps, the volume of water lifted and the extent of irrigation actually provided would help establish how effectively existing resources are being used.

November 3 meeting seen as crucial

Telangana’s position at the forthcoming NWDA meeting is expected to be important in determining how its concerns are considered during discussions on the project. The state government is expected to clarify its position on the Ichampalli and Sammakka Sagar routes and seek a technical assessment of the potential benefits and disadvantages of changing the proposed alignment. Safeguards for Telangana’s proposed water allocation and the benefits of its existing irrigation projects are likely to remain central to the debate.