Harish demands clarity from CM on three-State water talks

Former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao on Saturday accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of compromising Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna and Godavari waters for political interests and demanded that the latter disclose the decisions taken at the recent three-State — Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — meeting after the inauguration of Tungabhadra dam spillway gates inauguration few days ago, and place the details before the Legislative Assembly.

Addressing a press conference, Mr. Rao also sought clarity on whether the State’s 968 tmc entitlement in the Godavari, 15.90 tmc allocation under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), pending irrigation project approvals and Telangana’s interests in proposed river-linking plans had been protected.

Expressing concern over projects by both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, he said Karnataka was proceeding with the proposed 35 tmc Naveli Reservoir upstream of RDS, while Andhra Pradesh was planning the 20 tmc Gundrevula project downstream. “Together, these projects could impound around 55 tmc of water, affecting inflows into the Srisailam reservoir and jeopardising irrigation schemes such as Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme and Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project,” he said.

The former Minister questioned whether the Chief Minister had secured assurances on Telangana’s allocation under RDS, closure of unauthorised Andhra Pradesh outlets, and repairs to the canal system and dam. He also sought an explanation for the closed-door meeting attended by the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, along with a senior Union Water Resources official, while Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior officials were reportedly kept out.

Expressing concern over reports on proposed Godavari river-linking plans, he said these could bypass Telangana’s interests and affect projects such as Sammakka Sagar, which is expected to irrigate nearly four lakh acres in Warangal and Nalgonda districts. He alleged that the State government was prioritising river-linking proposals that could benefit Andhra Pradesh.