Telangana’s instance for 50:50 ratio of Krishna water sharing may hamper AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s efforts to resolve all pending issues related to bifurcation amicably making use of his rapport with Telangana chief minister Renath Reddy.
The Telangana State has requested the Krishna Waters Disputes Tribunal (KWDT -II) to issue orders for utilisation of waters available in the basin by both the Telugu States in the ratio of 50:50 with effect from the water year 2024-25 pending final decision.
Submitting its counter to the Statement of Case (SOC) filed by the Andhra Pradesh before the Tribunal, Telangana contended that formulation of an operational protocol for distribution of water can be thought of only after determination of the State-wise and project-wise shares. Hence the State-wise and project-wise shares of each State shall be determined first.
As per the ad hoc arrangement, Telangana has been receiving 299 TMC as against 512 TMC by Andhra Pradesh. The KWDT-II is actively involved in resolving disputes between the two States. As per the statements of both States presented before the tribunal, Telangana has staked claim for 954.9 TMC and Andhra Pradesh had sought 1144 TMC.
However, as most of ongoing Telangana irrigation projects are not approved by Central Water Commission (CWC), AP is insisting that water needs of the existing projects should be taken into consideration during sharing of waters.
The water release is regulated by a committee consisting of Chief Engineers from both States and a Member-Secretary from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB). The State had clarified that the question of handing over of projects does not arise at this point of time.
But the KRMB has to regulate the river water sharing and distribution as per an award. Presently there is no award in place dividing the water between the two successor states.