Hyderabad: Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Tuesday alleged that the Congress government in Telangana is endangering the state’s interests by not opposing Karnataka’s reported plan to raise the Almatti dam height.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP state office, Rao said the Karnataka government is considering increasing the height of the Almatti dam from 519 to 524 metres. He warned that the move would severely affect farmers in southern Telangana, particularly in Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, and Ranga Reddy districts.
He accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of prioritising political meetings in Delhi with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi over addressing critical water issues. “Despite both states being ruled by the Congress, the Telangana Chief Minister has failed to raise the issue of Almatti dam height,” he said.
Rao pointed out that the Supreme Court had already stayed any construction or height increase of the Almatti project. Despite this, he alleged that the Karnataka government has initiated land acquisition around the dam, signalling its intent to expand the reservoir’s storage capacity.
“The BJP will strongly oppose any increase in the Almatti dam height,” Rao declared. He questioned the Telangana CM’s silence, especially as his own native Mahabubnagar district would be among the worst-hit. “The Congress government is more interested in contracts and commissions than protecting Telangana’s water rights,” he remarked.
Rao also criticised the previous BRS government for agreeing to a limited 299 TMC share of Krishna river water, calling it a betrayal. “The present Congress government is following the same route,” he said.
He urged the Telangana government to immediately initiate talks with Karnataka and prevent any compromise on the state’s water share.
