Hyderabad: Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy vowed that the state will block the Banakacherla project through legal and environmental means, calling it an unlawful, unilateral move by Andhra Pradesh. He asserted Telangana would defend its water rights with full force.
Slamming Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh’s remarks, Reddy said the statements distort facts. “The project lacks approvals from both the Environment Ministry and the Godavari River Management Board. These claims are fabricated,” he said. He added that he had personally written multiple letters to the Centre opposing the initiative.
Reiterating Telangana’s firm stance, Reddy said their opposition isn’t symbolic. “This isn’t rhetoric. Our resistance to the Banakacherla project stands on legal, scientific, and procedural grounds,” he said. According to him, the state government has already initiated all available legal measures to block it.
He blamed the previous BRS government for failing to act in time. “They ignored this for ten years. Now they’re hurling baseless accusations to cover up their inaction,” he said. He urged the public to hold BRS accountable for letting the situation deteriorate.
Responding to Lokesh’s mention of a BJP-TDP alliance, Reddy said party equations can’t override constitutional limits. “This isn’t political turf. It’s about Telangana’s lawful share of water. No alliance can rewrite the rules,” he said.
