Reacting to the Supreme Court of India disposing of Telangana’s objections to the proposed Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Link Project, Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Monday categorically asserted that the project would cause no harm whatsoever to Telangana and is aimed solely at preventing massive wastage of Godavari floodwaters into the sea. The Minister said Andhra Pradesh has consistently and transparently stated that it seeks to utilise only 200 TMC of water out of nearly 3,000 TMC that flows wastefully into the sea every year. “We are not touching anyone else’s rightful share. We are only asking to use surplus floodwater that otherwise mixes with saline seawater and is lost forever,” he said.

Ramanaidu reiterated that the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project does not infringe upon Telangana’s interests in any manner. “We have been saying this from day one. There is no loss to Telangana, neither in quantity nor in rights,” he emphasised, appealing to dispel misconceptions and move forward in a spirit of cooperation. Referring to Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s vision, the Minister said both Telugu States should grow together as brothers, not as rivals. “Our Chief Minister firmly believes that unity, not confrontation, is the path to sustainable development,” he said.

Highlighting the scale of wastage, Ramanaidu pointed out that over the last 50 years, nearly 1,53,000 TMC of Godavari floodwater has gone waste into the sea. “Even this year alone, about 4,600 TMC of precious freshwater flowed unused into the ocean. This is the injustice we are trying to correct,” he said. Drawing a parallel with Telangana’s major irrigation initiative, the Minister said, “After State bifurcation, Telangana was permitted to construct the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project on the upper reaches of the Godavari. We did not obstruct it. On the same principle, we are only asking for permission to utilise surplus floodwaters at the lower reaches through Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar.”

He argued that if floodwaters are harnessed at Polavaram, Andhra Pradesh should rightfully use them; otherwise, they will simply be lost to the sea. “In such a scenario, the question of Telangana suffering any loss does not even arise,” he said.Ramanaidu further noted that once Andhra Pradesh’s legitimate requirements are met through the project, any remaining water could also benefit Telangana. “This is not a zero-sum game. It is a project of shared prosperity,” he said.Summing up his stand, the Minister declared: “No disputes, only unity. No confrontation, only cooperation. Progress is possible only through mutual understanding. Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar will benefit Andhra Pradesh without harming anyone else.”