HYDERABAD: Security at the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is now entirely under the control of Andhra Pradesh forces, following the withdrawal of Telangana personnel from the site on Tuesday evening.
The withdrawal marks a significant shift in the inter-state management of the dam, which lies within Telangana’s territorial limits. Forces from Telangana that were previously responsible for overseeing 13 of the dam’s gates have now stepped back, following formal orders issued by the Mulug Battalion. After receiving their relieving orders, Telangana personnel exited the dam site, allowing Andhra Pradesh forces to take over full security operations.
Background to the dispute
A long-standing dispute between the two states resurfaced on the night of 30 November 2023, regarding administrative control of the dam. Since then, the security duties had been divided between the two states, with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel stationed on either side.
The 234th Battalion of the CRPF, based in Visakhapatnam, had been deployed to guard the 13 gates on the Andhra Pradesh side, while the 39th Battalion from Mulug was assigned to secure the 13 gates on the Telangana side.
AP forces now in full charge
With Telangana’s CRPF units now withdrawn, Andhra Pradesh forces have assumed full responsibility for securing all 26 gates of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. The development is likely to spark further discussion on the dam’s operational control and the broader water-sharing issues between the two states.
