2 weeks ago
Telangana adopts competitive strategy ahead of Krishna, Godavari water meetings
Two neighboring states in India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, share big rivers.
When rivers do not get enough rain, sharing the water becomes tricky.
This year there was not enough rain, so there is little water for farms.
Telangana's leaders made a plan, called a 'competitive strategy,' to protect their state's water.
They are going to meetings about the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
Telangana wants Andhra Pradesh to stop taking too much water.
Andhra Pradesh wants officials to check again some big water projects built by Telangana.
These projects were already approved by the central government.
Some leaders in Telangana wanted to skip a meeting, but the government is still deciding.
The leaders will discuss these problems at meetings on August 13 and 18.
Telangana has adopted a 'competitive strategy' for the KRMB meeting on August 13 and the GRMB meeting on August 18 to safeguard its water interests.
Andhra Pradesh has sought reconsideration of approvals for seven Telangana projects, including the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, which were cleared by the CWC and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi has demanded that Telangana boycott the GRMB meeting; the state government will decide next week.
Telangana will demand more water from the Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam reservoirs and raise Andhra Pradesh's alleged excess drawal of water from Srisailam.
Both states are facing an irrigation crisis due to deficit rainfall in this year's monsoon season.
- Who
- The Telangana government, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Andhra Pradesh.
- What
- Telangana adopted a 'competitive strategy' and prepared documentary evidence to safeguard its interests in Krishna and Godavari river water sharing with Andhra Pradesh, including demands for more water and objections to the review of its project approvals.
- Where
- Hyderabad, where Telangana officials reviewed the meeting agendas; the disputes concern the Krishna and Godavari rivers shared by Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- At the KRMB meeting on August 13 and the GRMB meeting on August 18; the boycott decision will be made next week.
- Why
- To safeguard Telangana's interests amid an irrigation crisis caused by deficit monsoon rainfall and disputed water sharing with Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana's Position
Opposing Positions
Krishna river water sharing
Telangana's Position
Telangana says Andhra Pradesh is drawing water indiscriminately from Srisailam and will demand the release of water to Nagarjuna Sagar to meet its needs.
Opposing Positions
Andhra Pradesh has sought reconsideration of approvals granted to seven Telangana irrigation projects on the Godavari River, implying the projects should be re-examined.
GRMB meeting participation
Telangana's Position
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi demanded that Telangana boycott the GRMB meeting over the inclusion of the review of the seven project permissions.
Opposing Positions
The Telangana government is still deciding whether to attend, saying it is ready to counter Andhra Pradesh with documentary evidence and protect its interests in the meeting.
Key facts
- KRMB meeting
- August 13
- GRMB meeting
- August 18
- Strategy
- 'Competitive strategy' to safeguard Telangana's interests
- Projects under AP review
- 7 (Kaleshwaram, Choutupally Hanumantha Reddy, Mukteshwaram, Chanaka-Korata, Modikuntavagu, Kadem-Gudem, Sitarama Lift Irrigation Schemes)
- Project approvals
- TAC clearance from the Central Water Commission and Union Ministry of Jal Shakti
- Telangana demand
- More water from Nagarjuna Sagar and Srisailam reservoirs
- Context
- Deficit monsoon rainfall causing irrigation crisis in both states
- AP allegation
- Excess drawal of water from Srisailam
Quotes
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy
Chief Minister of Telangana
“The question as to whether Telangana officials should boycott the meeting would be addressed next week as the irrigation officials are pursuing with the Godavari board the agenda details and its impact on the ongoing projects.”
thehansindia.com











