Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Tuesday held high-level talks in New Delhi to resolve inter-state water disputes. The meeting, convened by Union Water Resources Minister C.R. Patil at Shram Shakti Bhavan, focused on the contentious Krishna-Godavari water sharing issues.
While Andhra Pradesh submitted a single-point agenda on linking the Godavari to Banakacherla via canal to divert surplus water otherwise flowing into the sea, Telangana listed 13 items, including objections to the Polavaram and Banakacherla projects. The Union Ministry merged both states’ proposals into the meeting agenda.
Ahead of the session, both CMs held internal reviews with their respective chief secretaries, irrigation engineers, and water resource officials. Andhra Pradesh presented historical data showing 3,000 TMC of Godavari water discharging into the sea annually and justified its project aim of tapping 200 TMC without affecting upstream states. It claimed non-objection to Telangana’s projects for 11 years, urging understanding of its downstream position.
Following the meeting, AP Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu announced consensus on three major issues: installation of telemetry systems at reservoirs and outlets, implementation of expert-recommended protection measures at Srisailam dam, and location finalisation for river boards with the Krishna River Board in Amaravati and the Godavari Board in Telangana.
Additionally, both governments agreed to establish a technical committee by next Monday to examine Telangana’s objections on the Polavaram and Banakacherla projects. The panel will include technical and administrative experts from both states.
