The Union Jal Shakti Ministry just put forward a significant shift in the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project: using the Banakacherla Cross Regulator as the connecting point, not the Srisailam reservoir. That’s exactly what Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu discussed at length during his recent meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi. Keen to move the project along—and protect the interests of everyone involved—Chandrababu asked the Center to call for a special meeting with the Chief Ministers of all three key states. Let’s break down what’s happening, what obstacles are in the way, and how the Center aims to untangle this water-sharing mess.
Andhra Pushes for Banakacherla
The Andhra government has made it clear: they want the Banakacherla route. Naidu emphasized that vast volumes of Godavari floodwater just wash out to sea every year—water that could change lives if redirected. Centre’s plan is simple, by linking Polavaram to Banakacherla, Andhra can channel those floodwaters toward the parched Rayalaseema region and help other southern states meet their drinking water and irrigation needs.
AP’s leaders have asked the Center to go one step further. They want this river-linking project declared a ‘National Project,’ which would force the Center to pick up the tab for its massive costs. As for money—it’s no small sum. The Polavaram-Banakacherla link carries an estimated price tag of ₹80,112 crore.
Telangana Pushes Back
Not everyone’s on board. Telangana’s Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy, and Irrigation Minister, Uttam Kumar Reddy, have raised solid objections to Andhra’s plan to divert Godavari water. First, there are no official clearances yet. Telangana argues that Andhra hasn’t secured approvals from the Apex Council, the Godavari River Management Board, or the Central Water Commission.
Telangana claims that sending Godavari water into the Krishna basin violates the clear orders of both the Bachawat Tribunal and the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal. And then there’s the basic question of water rights—Telangana’s officials warn that diverting flows under the vague term of ‘surplus waters’ could starve upstream projects in their state.
Center’s Compromise Formula
To get everybody to the table, the Union Jal Shakti Ministry plans a high-level meeting with Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, and Karnataka’s Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar.
For Andhra and Telangana, here’s the deal: Andhra drops its opposition to Telangana’s big Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation scheme; in exchange, Telangana will support the Banakacherla link.
For Karnataka, the Center is dangling central funding for the Bedthi-Varada river link and expansion of the Navali reservoir—hoping this will win their backing for the overall river-linking effort. With this three-way meeting coming up, the Central government sounds confident. They’re betting that they can finally break this decades-old deadlock over river water, and bring Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka to lasting agreement.
