No DPR, No approval, No water: Telangana draws Red Line on Banakacharla Project

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telangana government has stepped up its opposition to Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Godavari-Banakacharla Link Scheme, with Irrigation, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy stressing that the State will fight “tooth and nail” to safeguard its rightful share of river waters.

Speaking informally to the media at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat, the Minister revealed that he had written multiple letters to the Centre flagging serious legal and procedural violations by Andhra Pradesh. 

In particular, he cited a letter dated 22 January 2025, addressed to Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, where he outlined how Andhra Pradesh is attempting to divert floodwaters from the Godavari to Rayalaseema, via a proposed 150 TMC reservoir at Bollapalli, Guntur district—without submitting a Detailed Project Report (DPR) or obtaining any statutory clearances.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said Andhra Pradesh had failed to secure approvals from the Central Water Commission (CWC), Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), or the Apex Council, as mandated under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA), 2014. He accused the neighbouring state of misusing sections of the Act to seek central funds, while bypassing requirements for technical scrutiny and interstate consultation.

He further warned that Andhra Pradesh’s scheme violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980, which allocated 966 TMC to Telangana. He said attempts to divert “unallocated floodwaters” directly impact Telangana’s drought-prone regions.

The Minister highlighted Union Minister C.R. Patil’s response dated 28 May 2025, which confirmed that no detailed proposal had been submitted by Andhra Pradesh. Patil assured that any future proposal would be assessed strictly under existing laws, tribunal awards, and inter-state agreements.

Uttam Kumar Reddy also criticised the previous BRS government for failing to defend Telangana’s interests, accusing it of striking secret deals with the Andhra Pradesh government and facilitating illegal diversions of Krishna water. He urged Union Ministers from Telangana, including Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, to stand with the state in opposing the Banakacharla project. Reiterating Telangana’s stand, Uttam Kumar Reddy declared, “We will not rest until Telangana’s rights are protected and justice is delivered.”