Uttam Kumar Reddy secures key victory for Telangana as EAC blocks environmental clearance for RLIS

HYDERABAD: Telangana has secured a significant victory in its fight against the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) as the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) recommended blocking environmental clearance (EC) for the project.

Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy played a pivotal role in this success, leading Telangana’s efforts at multiple legal and regulatory forums, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT), MoEF&CC, Supreme Court, Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), and Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II).

Uttam Kumar Reddy personally took up the matter with the Union Environment Minister, warning that Andhra Pradesh’s unilateral execution of RLIS would severely impact Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna River water.

EAC’s Landmark Decision

At its 25th meeting on February 27, the EAC ruled that Andhra Pradesh must restore the RLIS site to its pre-construction stage before reapplying for environmental clearance. The committee, while reviewing RLIS’s compliance with an NGT order, found that Andhra Pradesh had violated environmental norms and must roll back all work beyond the initial planning stage.

The ruling mandates Andhra Pradesh to:

• Submit an affidavit confirming no construction beyond the Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation.
• Provide photographic evidence and restoration details. Outline a corrective action timeline.
• Additionally, the committee warned that any false or misleading information could lead to legal action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Telangana’s Unyielding Stand Against RLIS

The Telangana government has consistently opposed RLIS, citing its violation of environmental laws and inter-state water-sharing norms. Telangana maintains that RLIS is an illegal project as it diverts Krishna waters without approval from the KRMB or the Apex Council.

As part of its continued efforts, Principal Secretary (Irrigation) Rahul Bojja also wrote to MoEF&CC, reinforcing Telangana’s objections and urging the Centre to halt the project. Telangana officials emphasized that allowing RLIS to proceed would jeopardize irrigation and drinking water needs, particularly in Krishna basin-dependent districts.

A Crucial Victory for Telangana Farmers

The EAC’s decision has been hailed as a major legal and environmental victory for Telangana. The ruling reinforces the state’s argument that RLIS is illegal and cannot proceed, providing relief to thousands of farmers in the drought-prone Krishna basin, who feared severe water shortages due to the project.

Reaffirming Telangana’s commitment to protecting its water rights, Uttam Kumar Reddy stated: “Telangana will continue its determined legal and policy battle to safeguard its rightful share of Krishna River water and prevent unauthorized projects that could threaten its water security.”