Latest news with #Godavari-BanakacherlaLinkProject
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Harish writes to Uttam, pushes for immediate Apex Council meet to discuss Banakacherla project ‘violations'
HYDERABAD Stating that the Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project, proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government, would be detrimental to Telangana's water interests, senior BRS leader and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao urged Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy to impress upon Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to immediately convene an Apex Council meeting to discuss the alleged violation of the Reorganisation Act 2014. In a letter to Mr. Reddy on Sunday, Mr. Rao urged government to immediately convene an all-party meeting, besides holding a special session of the State Assembly to arrive at a policy decision on the Banakacherla project. Pointing out that Telangana will get an additional 157.5 tmc ft of Krishna water as its rightful share, if 80 tmc ft is moved to the Krishna Delta through Polavaram project, he said that Telangana will have the flexibility to use this water for other projects that do not have proper water allocations, such as SLBC, Kalvakurthi, Nettempadu, Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and Dindi. 'Telangana should seek this additional share of 157.5 tmc ft before the Brijesh Tribunal, discuss with legal experts, and take appropriate action. Engineering experts suggest that Telangana may positively consider the Godavari-Banakacherla link if AP agrees to these rights,' he said. Meanwhile, he lauded Mr. Reddy's recent letter to Mr. Patil, opposing the project, and urged the State government to prioritise TG interests over politics and assured full support in protecting its water rights.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Halt Banakachera-Godavari project in AP: Uttam to Centre
Hyderabad: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has demanded that the Union government immediately reject the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project by Andhra Pradesh, block submission of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), and halt any move to call or award tenders related to the scheme. The minister also refuted allegations leveled by BRS leader T Harish Rao against the government's silence on the project. In a strongly worded letter addressed to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the minister said the project not only breaches the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980 and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA), 2014, but also poses a direct and unacceptable threat to Telangana's rightful share of river waters. Minister Uttam said that the AP government was reportedly asked to submit the DPR of the Godavari-Banakacherla project. Expressing strong objection, he wrote, 'It is a matter of grave concern to us that the AP state government is asked by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance in the presence of Senior Joint Commissioner, Ministry of Jal Shakti to submit the DPR of Godavari-Banakacherla link which technically implies that the underlying PFR of this scheme is deemed to have been approved.' He warned that such a move would not only be procedurally flawed but also violate fundamental principles of interstate water governance. 'Usually, the DPR of any scheme by any state can be submitted to CWC only when the underlying Pre-Feasibility Report is initially approved by CWC. Does GoI ask the state government to submit the DPR infer that the PFR of this scheme is deemed to have been approved by CWC,' he asked. Asserting Telangana's firm opposition, he added, 'We strongly object to the GoI asking the AP Government to submit the DPR. We strongly object to the Godavari-Banakacherla Project.'
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
TG gears up to rebut AP's claims on Polavaram project
Hyderabad: The State Government is ready to make strong arguments against Polavaram project taken up by Andhra Pradesh in a meeting proposed by the union government in the end of this month. Though officials are yet to confirm whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold the meeting with Chief Ministers of AP, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Odisha soon, sources said that the government prepared a report to counter the AP's claims on submergence due to the Polavaram project in Telangana. Sources said that the government has not received any official communication from the PMO on conducting CMs meeting but the central authorities hinted at holding a meeting by the Centre is certain, either with CMs or Chief Secretaries of the four states. State Irrigation officials already raised strong objections before the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) on the proposed expansion of the Polavaram project by the Andhra Pradesh government to facilitate the Godavari-Banakacherla project. The AP government has proposed an expansion of the Polavaram project to draw about 40,000 cusecs of water from the head sluice of the Right Main Canal (RMC) under Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project without notifying the co-riparian states. The officials said that Telangana has also voiced concerns and objections regarding the Polavaram project. The potential impact of the project, particularly backwater effects and environmental clearances and the threat to famous Bhadrachalam temple were already raised and the Centre's active intervention was sought to stall the project immediately. Telangana officials also warned that rising water levels from the project could adversely affect the Lord Sita Ramachandra Swamy temple, Manuguru Heavy Water Plant, and several villages along the riverbanks. They also pointed out that flood flow in tributaries such as Kinnerasani and Munneruvagu would intensify during heavy rains, increasing the risk to low-lying areas. Last year, several villages experienced severe flooding, and officials emphasised the need to study this impact thoroughly and implement preventive measures before the project's completion.
