Hyderabad: The Telangana government strongly objected to Andhra Pradesh’s diversion of Krishna river waters while presenting arguments before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT). Senior advocate D.S. Vaidyanathan represented Telangana before tribunal chairman Justice Brijesh Kumar and members Justice Ram Mohan Reddy and Justice S. Talapatra.
The state said Andhra Pradesh had expanded the ayacut under the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal from 9.7 lakh acres to 11.74 lakh acres. At the same time, it reduced the ayacut under the left canal in Telangana from 6.6 lakh acres to 6.02 lakh acres. Officials described this as a clear violation of project norms.
Telangana offers to bear cost for water management measures
Telangana also declared that it was willing to fund telemetry systems to track illegal diversions from the Pothireddypadu head regulator. The state expressed readiness to finance a dedicated pipeline from Srisailam or Prakasam barrage to Chennai. With such measures, diversions from Pothireddypadu could be curtailed.
Counsel pointed out that Andhra Pradesh violated conditions of the Rayalaseema lift scheme by drawing water when Srisailam levels fell below 830 feet. This move went against the stipulated rule. Telangana argued that the violation deprived its farmers of legitimate water rights.
The government further submitted proposals to build offline storages of 4–6 TMC per day at Jurala and Srisailam projects. According to officials, these facilities would strengthen water regulation. They urged the tribunal to ensure a fair and constitutional distribution of Krishna waters under Article 262.
