HYDERABAD: Telangana’s Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Central government on Wednesday to take a proactive role in addressing the ongoing Krishna water dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Speaking at the ‘Water Vision – 2047’ conference, organised by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, Reddy stressed the need for Central intervention to ensure an equitable resolution of the water-sharing issue between the two Telugu states.
During his address, Reddy outlined key projects requiring Central approval and funding, including the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS), Sitarama Sagar, and Sammakka Sagar projects. He also sought financial support for the rejuvenation of the Musi River and the Godavari-Musi river linking project. Additionally, he requested an expedited submission of the National Dam Safety Authority’s (NDSA) report on the Kaleshwaram Medigadda project.
Earlier at the conference, Telangana’s Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister, Seethakka, addressed concerns regarding rural drinking water supply. She appealed for increased Central funding to stabilise water provisions, highlighting significant state investments under Mission Bhagiratha to ensure household access to potable water. Seethakka urged the Centre to allocate at least ₹16,000 crore, as recommended by NITI Aayog, to support these initiatives.
The ‘Water Vision – 2047’ conference also saw participation from Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and Ministry Secretary Debashish Mukherjee, who engaged in discussions on various water resource management strategies affecting the region.
The Krishna water dispute remains a longstanding issue between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with both states seeking an equitable share of the river’s resources. Minister Reddy’s appeal highlights the urgency of a mediated resolution to ensure fair water distribution and sustained support for critical irrigation and drinking water projects in the region.
1. Intervention of Central Government in Krishna waters issue
2. Approval of and funding for PRLIS, Sitaram Sagar & Sammakka Sarakka projects.
3. Funding for Musi cleaning/ rejuvenation and Godavari- Musi link.
4. Early submission of NDSA report
— Uttam Kumar Reddy (@UttamINC) February 19, 2025
