Hyderabad: Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said Krishna Godavari water talks, not disputes, would guide Telangana’s approach to resolving inter-state river issues.
Posting on X on Tuesday, he said that at Devadula the choice was clear between dispute and solution. He said the government preferred solution. If the option was between panchayat and discussion, Telangana would choose discussions, he stated. He added that providing drinking water to every citizen and irrigation to every acre remained the government’s primary goal.
Earlier, during his visit to the Devadula project, Revanth Reddy stressed the need for friendly dialogue between Telugu states. He said states should settle differences over Krishna and Godavari waters through talks rather than confrontation. At the same time, he said the government would wage a firm struggle to secure Telangana’s rightful share.
Background to Krishna Godavari water talks
Water disputes between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have continued for decades. The conflict centres on sharing Krishna and Godavari river waters. Under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, authorities made temporary allocations of 512 TMC to Andhra Pradesh and 299 TMC to Telangana. However, Telangana has demanded an equal share from the beginning.
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II, headed by Brijesh Kumar, examined the issue. Telangana has sought project-wise allocations. Disputes have also arisen over the control of Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar dams. Recently, the Centre directed that both projects come under the Krishna River Management Board.
Although the Godavari has higher availability, project objections persist. Andhra Pradesh has raised concerns over Telangana’s Kaleshwaram project. Telangana has objected to the height and submergence impact of Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram project. It also complained to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry over the proposed Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project.
It remains to be seen whether the Andhra Pradesh government will respond to Revanth Reddy’s call for Krishna Godavari water talks.
