UDAIPUR: Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has called for immediate intervention by the central government to prevent any injustice to Telangana in the ongoing Krishna River water dispute.
Speaking at the 2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference, 2025, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in Udaipur on Tuesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Centre to take action against the alleged illegal diversion of Krishna River water by Andhra Pradesh. He specifically pointed to water being diverted from the foreshore of Srisailam Dam and the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Bank. He also demanded the installation of telemetry instruments to monitor water usage and pressed for an early resolution of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II) case to protect Telangana’s rightful share.
Demand for Central Support in Irrigation Projects
The Telangana minister also sought full central funding for the desilting and desedimentation of major and minor irrigation projects in the state. He emphasized that similar financial support had been extended to other states for such projects.
Additionally, Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Centre to expedite the ongoing National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) inquiry into the Medigadda project. He requested a clear written recommendation from the Centre on the next steps to address concerns regarding the project’s structural integrity.
He highlighted that the Telangana government had already initiated desiltation efforts across major and medium irrigation projects in line with central guidelines. However, he stressed that the state required financial assistance from the Union government to continue these initiatives effectively.
Musi Riverfront Development and Water Supply Proposals
Uttam Kumar Reddy also presented Telangana’s ambitious Musi Riverfront Development Project, which aims to rejuvenate a 55 km stretch of the Musi River passing through Hyderabad. He urged the Centre to provide full financial support, citing the precedent of central assistance given to Ganga and Yamuna rejuvenation projects.
He stated that the project would help restore river ecology, improve sewage management, and enhance urban infrastructure while ensuring sustainable water management for Hyderabad.
To further strengthen Hyderabad’s water security, he requested Rs 4,000 crore for the establishment of trunk and interceptor sewer networks along the Musi River. Additionally, he sought Rs 6,000 crore to link the Godavari River with Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs, which he said would secure Hyderabad’s drinking water supply while aiding in Musi River’s rejuvenation.
Irrigation Project Funding and Water Allocation Requests
The minister also demanded the expedited allocation of water for key Telangana irrigation projects, including the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Samakka-Sarakka Project, and Sitarama Sagar Project. He further requested low-cost, long-term funding for ongoing irrigation projects in the state.
National Water Security Focus
The All India Water Ministers’ Conference, themed “India @ 2047 – A Water Secure Nation,” focused on long-term strategies for ensuring water security across the country. Telangana’s demands at the event highlighted urgent concerns related to Krishna River water allocation, irrigation project funding, and the Musi River restoration, all of which are critical to the state’s water security and development.
