TG to Centre: Keep Polavaram-Nallamala out of Agenda

metro india news  I hyderabad

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday strongly refuted allegations made by BRS leader T. Harish Rao, asserting that the Telangana government is not facilitating Andhra Pradesh (AP) in advancing irrigation projects that could harm the state's interests, particularly the controversial Polavaram- Nallamala Sagar project. Uttam Kumar Reddy dismissed Harish Rao's claims as baseless, emphasizing that no approvals have been granted for the project by the central authorities.

"There is no truth in the assertions that the Centre is permitting AP to proceed with the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar initiative," Uttam stated during a press conference. He clarified that neither the Detailed Project Report (DPR) nor the pre-feasibility report has been approved. "It was upon our complaint that the terms of reference for environmental clearances were revoked. During today's meeting, the Central Water Commission (CWC) Chairman explicitly confirmed that no permissions of any kind have been extended to AP for this project," he added.

Uttam also countered the accusation that Telangana participated in the meeting without securing assurances. "Yesterday, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil wrote to us confirming that no approvals were given. 

Harish Rao should cease spreading falsehoods and end this propaganda. The Congress government in Telangana will not allow even a single drop of water rightfully due to our state to be diverted elsewhere," he stressed.

He highlighted the proactive steps taken by the current administration across multiple forums, including courts, the Centre, and the CWC, to halt AP's plans. "Along with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, I have met Minister C.R. Patil twice, submitted written objections, and filed a civil suit in the Supreme Court on this matter. In contrast, it was the previous BRS government under K. Chandrashekar Rao promised to divert Godavari waters to Rayalaseema. Our government is diligently correcting those past errors," Irrigation Minister said, underscoring the commitment to safeguard Telangana's water rights.

‘Don’t include Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar in agenda’

In a parallel development, Telangana Irrigation Principal Secretary Rahul Bojja, speaking to the media after the inaugural meeting of the Central Water Disputes Resolution Committee in Delhi, made it clear that the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar issue should not be included in the committee's agenda. The meeting, chaired by the CWC Chairman and lasting nearly two hours, focused on interstate matters related to Krishna and Godavari river waters, including Telangana's share, objections, and central approvals for various projects.

Bojja recalled that Telangana had already written to the Centre on this matter, 

urging exclusion of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar from discussions. "This first meeting was solely to set the agenda and addressed only inter-state issues concerning Godavari and Krishna waters. The Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar is not part of it," he stated. However, he noted that Telangana anticipates this topic might arise, though AP did not submit any proposals during the session and promised to do so within a week.

Following AP's submissions, the CWC will finalize the agenda by themes, and the committee will deliberate in the second meeting, Bojja explained. He mentioned ongoing tribunal hearings on overall allocations for Krishna and Godavari waters, adding that if the committee resolves these disputes, objections could be withdrawn from the Supreme Court and tribunal. Bojja emphasized the multiple water disputes between the two states, with several aspects related to Krishna and Godavari rivers under scrutiny. "That's why we attended this meeting," he said, stressing Telangana's vigilant stance in protecting its interests amid these interstate water-sharing challenges.