Banakacherla Dispute: Jal Shakthi Minister to Mediate Telugu CMs

Union Minister CR Patil will meet with AP and Telangana CMs Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy tomorrow, July 16, 2025, to mediate the Godavari-Banakacharla project dispute.
Banakacherla Dispute: Jal Shakthi Minister to Mediate Telugu CMs
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The Central Government is stepping in to mediate the ongoing dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana regarding the Godavari-Banakacharla project. Union Minister for Jal Shakti (Water Resources), CR Patil, is scheduled to meet with the Chief Ministers of both states—Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy—tomorrow, July 16, 2025.

The Jal Shakti Mantralay has formally communicated with the Chief Ministers’ Offices, inviting them to present any additional agenda items for discussion alongside the primary issue. Originally planned for July 11, the meeting was postponed due to a lack of positive response from the Chief Ministers, but both leaders have now confirmed their attendance for the rescheduled date. In accordance with the AP Reorganisation Act, discussions concerning new projects and water disputes are to be addressed in the Apex Council, which is chaired by the Union Water Resources Minister, with both Chief Ministers as members. Notably, there have been only two meetings within the last decade on this matter.

The Andhra Pradesh government has put forth a proposal for the Banakacharla project, aimed at harnessing floodwaters from the Godavari. However, the Telangana government has voiced strong opposition to this initiative. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy have previously met with the Union Minister in Delhi to express their objections, emphasizing the need for environmental clearances and withholding permissions from the Central Water Commission.

The meeting with Minister CR Patil is particularly significant, given Telangana's assertions that the Godavari-Banakacharla project infringes on their rights and projects. Revanth Reddy is intensifying pressure on the Central Government to fulfill legally mandated water allocations and to expedite approvals and funding for ongoing and new projects on the Krishna River. In a recent statement, the Chief Minister's office revealed that Revanth Reddy has instructed the Irrigation Minister and relevant officials to safeguard Telangana's interests concerning the Krishna and Godavari waters and to seek long-term solutions to the historical injustices faced by the state. As part of these efforts, Uttam Kumar Reddy has written to Minister CR Patil.

Reflecting on the ongoing situation, the Chief Minister's office criticized the previous KCR administration for its failure to secure Telangana's rightful share of water from the Krishna River, highlighting that only 299 TMC of water was allocated to the state while Andhra Pradesh has accessed 512 TMC. The statement further points to alleged negligence regarding projects where water was diverted illegally and the incomplete status of irrigation works in the united Andhra Pradesh state, underscoring significant misallocation of public funds.

Where the Dispute Sparks?

The Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project is a proposed irrigation initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government, designed to redirect surplus water from the Godavari River, particularly during flood events, through the Polavaram Project into the drought-affected Rayalaseema region via the Krishna and Penna river basins. This substantial undertaking, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs 80,000 crore, aims to establish a comprehensive network of canals, lift stations, and tunnels to connect these river systems. The project is expected to facilitate irrigation across extensive agricultural lands and provide drinking water for millions of residents.

The Andhra Pradesh government maintains that the project will effectively utilize water that would otherwise be lost to the sea, thereby benefiting its arid southern regions and justifying its entitlement to utilize floodwaters as a downstream state. However, the project has triggered a considerable dispute with Telangana.

The Telangana government has raised numerous objections, primarily arguing that Andhra Pradesh is advancing the project without obtaining the necessary approvals from the Apex Council, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), and the Central Water Commission (CWC). These approvals are mandated under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 and various tribunal rulings. Telangana expresses concerns that the diversion of a significant volume of Godavari water will negatively impact its current and future irrigation projects, along with its equitable share of river resources. Environmental concerns have also been raised regarding the proposed tunnel through the Nallamala forest region.

Political Standpoints

TDP-led coalition Andhra Pradesh government strongly supports the project, viewing it as a vital resource for Rayalaseema that efficiently utilizes surplus Godavari floodwaters. They highlight its importance for enhancing agricultural productivity and mitigating water scarcity in the area.

The political landscape has undergone significant changes, yet the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, has consistently underscored the necessity of securing water resources for Rayalaseema. In light of the recent governmental transition, their perspective on the Godavari-Banakacherla project may involve critiquing the current administration's strategies or advocating for greater transparency and adherence to established regulatory frameworks. Historically, water sharing has been a contentious issue, and the YSRCP will likely focus on ensuring that any initiatives benefit Andhra Pradesh while simultaneously holding the government accountable for proper procedural compliance and maintaining robust inter-state relations. They may also draw attention to any shortcomings in obtaining central approvals or effectively managing interstate disputes.

Congress ruled Telangana Government vehemently opposes the project, citing breaches of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and tribunal decisions. They are concerned about potential negative effects on Telangana's existing and future irrigation schemes and its legitimate share of river waters.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), which was the ruling party until recently, has voiced strong opposition to the Godavari-Banakacherla project. As a principal opposition in Telangana, BRS strongly disapproves of the project, emphasizing that it poses a threat to Telangana's water security. They support the state's current government efforts to prevent the project's advancement while criticizing any perceived compromises regarding the state's water rights in the past or present.

Although the present Congress government has held the BRS responsible for previous alleged concessions in water sharing, BRS leaders like T. Harish Rao have openly supported the current administration's efforts to impede the project. They assert that the matter transcends political affiliations and speaks to the future water security of Telangana. The BRS contends that the project could have significant ramifications for the state’s water allocations and has called upon the government to pursue decisive legal and political measures. The BRS is likely to leverage this issue to reinforce its commitment to protecting Telangana's interests and to critique what they perceive as the current government’s excessive leniency towards Andhra Pradesh’s demands.

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