AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s announcement of the Banakacherla project to divert Godavari water to Rayalaseema, is likely to create dispute between two Telugu states, as Telangana is worrying this would hamper their interests. Chandrababu hopes that this project will solve the water problems in the backward Rayalaseema region.
However, Telangana state has expressed strong objection to this project. Telangana officials are raising objections as this is being taken up without obtaining permission from the Central Jal Shakti Department or the Godavari Board regarding this project.
Moreover, the government is expressing concern that this project will cause damage to Telangana on the Godavari river. After taking briefs from his officials, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has instructed them to bring their objections to the development of the project to the attention of the Chief Secretary of the AP government.
If necessary, he has advised to write letters to the Godavari Board and the Central Jal Shakti Department and give a full explanation on this project. Now, discussions between the two states on the use of Godavari river waters are needed.
There are criticisms that the two water boards formed for Krishna and Godavari rivers in 2014 for the distribution of river water are still not working properly. Experts suggest that the states should solve the problems with mutual cooperation. People are hoping for a quick resolution to this dispute.
Godavari waters are crucial for both states. However, analysts are of the opinion that solving this problem through mutual coordination rather than from a political perspective will make water use more efficient.
Meanwhile, the Telangana government has decided to conduct a study on the impact of the Polavaram project being constructed in AP on Telangana. To this extent, the study has been entrusted to IIT Hyderabad. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed senior officials of the Water and Irrigation Department to assign IIT Hyderabad.
He said that a report to be prepared by the IIT Hyderabad team to find out the extent of the impact on the state in the context of the construction of Polavaram. He said that a comprehensive report should be prepared within a month. He suggested that a special officer be appointed for coordination with the IIT Hyderabad team.
CM Revanth ordered a comprehensive study on the threat posed to the Bhadrachalam temple due to the construction of Polavaram. Officials explained to the CM that Bhadrachalam was inundated during the 2022 flood of 27 lakh cusecs.