Telangana to file civil suit in Supreme Court against Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link
Hyderabad: The Telangana government decided to escalate its legal challenge against the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link and announced that it would file a civil suit in the Supreme Court against Andhra Pradesh over the proposed diversion of Godavari flood waters.
The decision followed observations by a Chief Justice of India–led Bench, which indicated that the dispute required adjudication through a civil suit rather than a writ petition. Acting on this guidance, Telangana chose to pursue a suit to enable a detailed examination of inter-state water allocation issues and the impact of the proposed project.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state was taking a proactive legal step to protect its rightful share of Godavari waters. According to him, the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link threatened to undermine existing water-sharing arrangements. He stated that Telangana would pursue the matter firmly and without compromise.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Telangana, informed the Supreme Court that the state would withdraw the writ petition and initiate the process of filing a civil suit. Following this submission, the Bench disposed of the writ petition as not maintainable while granting liberty to the state to raise all issues in the proposed suit.
The Supreme Court’s observations came during hearings held on Monday and earlier last week. The Bench noted that a civil suit would provide a proper forum to examine complex technical material, evidence, and the interests of multiple states connected to the Godavari river system.
Telangana raises objections over Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link
Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link violated established inter-state agreements. He argued that the diversion of flood waters could adversely affect downstream regions in Telangana. He added that the project posed serious risks to irrigation and drinking water needs in several districts.
The Minister said the civil suit would allow Telangana to place all facts, documents, and technical objections before the court. He maintained that the state would challenge any attempt to exceed the water allocation fixed under earlier awards. He also asserted that Telangana would not allow actions that could deprive its farmers of assured water supplies.
Reddy said the legal battle concerned not only present needs but also future generations. He emphasised that the government remained committed to safeguarding every lawful entitlement of the state. He reiterated that Telangana would contest the matter in every available constitutional forum.
The Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link has remained a point of contention between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Telangana has consistently objected to the project, citing concerns over unilateral decisions and possible violations of water-sharing norms. With the move to file a civil suit, the dispute is now set to enter a detailed legal phase before the Supreme Court.
