Hyderabad: Telangana Irrigation Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday said the state has placed a claim for 70% of Krishna waters previously allocated to united Andhra Pradesh. He made the statement after presenting final arguments before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) in New Delhi.
Addressing the media, Uttam said the tribunal had reached its final stage. Telangana began concluding arguments in February and is now represented by senior advocate S Vaidyanathan, who has three days to present the state’s case in full.
The Minister noted that 1,050 TMC was originally allocated to united Andhra Pradesh—comprising 811 TMC at 75% dependability, 49 TMC at 65%, 145 TMC from average flows, and 45 TMC from Godavari diversions. Telangana is now seeking 763 TMC, citing basin parameters such as catchment area, in-basin population, drought-prone zones, and cultivable land.
Rationale behind Telangana’s 763 TMC claim
The demand includes 555 TMC from 75% dependable flows, 43 TMC from 65%, 120 TMC from average flows, and the full 45 TMC from Godavari diversions. Uttam said these figures are based on globally accepted principles of equitable river water sharing.
He added that Telangana’s demand is not arbitrary, but a correction of historical injustice. “We have a right to use all water above average flows. Our claim is scientific and fair,” he said.
Criticism of Andhra Pradesh and BRS
Uttam criticised Andhra Pradesh for diverting Krishna waters outside the basin and demanded the tribunal bar such diversions. “The saved water must serve our drought-hit regions. Telangana cannot be denied while another state benefits from out-of-basin use,” he said.
He also condemned the previous BRS government for accepting only 299 TMC for Telangana while allotting 512 TMC to Andhra Pradesh. “That agreement, accepted for nearly ten years, betrayed our farmers. We have rejected it and formally reopened the case,” he said.
Firm opposition to Almatti dam height increase
Uttam strongly opposed Karnataka’s proposal to raise the height of the Almatti Dam. He warned it would directly impact Telangana’s water share and said the state would challenge the plan in the Supreme Court. “We will not allow any step that reduces our entitlement,” he said.
The Minister added that CM Revanth Reddy had chaired detailed reviews and directed legal teams to fight with full force. “This is a battle for the survival of Telangana’s drought-prone regions,” he stated.
He reaffirmed that Telangana will claim its full rights across dependable flows, average flows, surplus waters, and Godavari diversions. “Not a single drop of Telangana’s rightful water will be given up. We will fight to the end,” Uttam declared.
