Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday asserted that Telangana has sought nearly 70% of Krishna waters previously allocated to the erstwhile United Andhra Pradesh, as the state placed its final arguments before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) in New Delhi.

Addressing newsmen in New Delhi where the tribunal hearings resumed on Tuesday, Uttam said Telangana had claimed 763 TMC, based on basin parameters such as catchment area, population, drought-prone regions and cultivable land. The demand includes 555 TMC from 75% dependable flows, 43 TMC from 65% dependable, 120 TMC from average flows and 45 TMC from Godavari diversions, along with full liberty over surplus waters.

The minister said, “This is not an arbitrary demand. It is built on scientific and equitable principles recognised globally in water disputes”, and added that it was perhaps unprecedented for a sitting irrigation minister to personally attend tribunal hearings, which reflected the seriousness of the Congress government.

The Minister accused Andhra Pradesh of diverting large portions of its allocation outside the Krishna basin and urged the tribunal to stop such practices. “The water saved must be allocated to Telangana’s drought-prone in-basin areas. Our entitlement cannot be denied while another state sends water outside the basin,” he noted.

Uttam came down heavily on the previous BRS regime, charging it with compromising Telangana’s interests by accepting a mere 299 TMC of water for Telangana against 512 TMC for Andhra Pradesh. “That deal, carried on for nearly a decade, was a betrayal of Telangana farmers. We have reopened the issue and placed our rightful claim of 763 TMC,” he added.

Oppose Almatti Dam height hike

The Irrigation minister strongly opposed Karnataka’s move to increase the height of the Almatti Dam, and warned that it would damage Telangana’s interests. “We will strengthen our argument in the Supreme Court to stop Karnataka from raising Almatti’s height. Telangana will not permit any action that reduces its rightful share,” he clarified. 

Uttam said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy was personally monitoring the issue, having chaired detailed reviews and directed the ministers to fight vigorously on the issue. “This is not just a legal case but a battle for the survival of our drought-prone districts and the welfare of farmers". He assured the people that Telangana would not compromise “on dependable flows, average flows, surplus waters or Godavari diversions,” and expressed confidence that the tribunal under Justice Brijesh Kumar would recognise the historical injustice and deliver a fair allocation. “Not a single drop of Telangana’s rightful water will be given up. We will fight till the end to secure justice for our people,” he added.