Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced a major river-linking plan connecting the Godavari and Penna rivers via the Krishna River. A large reservoir will be built at Banakacherla in Nandyal district. Godavari water will be diverted to the Bollapalli reservoir through the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Bank Canal, and then to Banakacherla via a 31-km tunnel.
BRS criticises Telangana government
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has slammed the Congress-led Telangana government for allegedly letting the AP government move ahead with the project. CM Revanth Reddy also challenged former chief minister and BRS leader K. Chandrashekar Rao to a debate on the issue in the state assembly.
“BRS is dead in Telangana. That dead snake is now trying to stir sentiments using the Godavari water issue. I challenge former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao — write a letter to the Speaker. We will convene an Assembly session to discuss the Godavari and Krishna water issues,” Reddy said, daring KCR to write to the Speaker for a discussion in the Assembly.
What is the Banakacherla Project?
- Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced a major river-linking plan connecting the Godavari and Penna rivers via the Krishna river.
- A large reservoir will be built at Banakacherla in Nandyal district.
- Godavari water will be diverted to the Bollapalli reservoir through the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Bank Canal, and then to Banakacherla via a 31-km tunnel.
- It aims to use 280 TMC of floodwater during the rainy season to solve water shortages in Prakasam, Nellore, and Rayalaseema districts.
- Naidu claims the project only uses surplus water from the Godavari.
Cost and funding
- The estimated cost of the project is ₹80,112 crore, reports say.
- The AP government has sought the Centre’s assistance: 50% as external loans (₹40,950 crore) and 20% as a central grant (₹16,380 crore), The Times of India reported.
- AP government ready to take the burden of ₹8,190 (10% of the total cost)
- A special body called ‘Jala Harathi Corporation’, fully government-owned, will implement the project.
Why is Telangana opposing it
The Telangana government says the project:
- Violates the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
- The project has not been approved by: The Apex Council, The Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards, The Central Water Commission
According to Telangana:
- The Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal allocated 968 TMCft to Telangana out of 1,486 TMCft.
- The tribunal has not defined how much surplus water exists.
- Diverting water without proper approvals could threaten Telangana’s water projects and future water needs.
A political flashpoint
- For Naidu, the project is seen as a way to gain political support in Rayalaseema, a region dominated by his rival YSR Congress Party.
- If water problems are solved here, TDP could gain additional votes.
- In Telangana, the issue is highly emotional. The demand for statehood was largely based on claims that Andhra Pradesh was diverting Telangana’s water. So, a new project moving Godavari water to AP has reopened old wounds.
(Edited by : Vipal Durge)
