Latest news with #Pre-FeasibilityReport
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Ready for discussions with A.P. on Bankacherla, but Centre's step-motherly treatment towards Telangana not acceptable: Revanth
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed his readiness to hold talks with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the inter-State water disputes, particularly over the controversial Banakacherla project. In an informal chat with reporters in New Delhi on Friday (June 20), Mr. Reddy said he preferred dialogue over confrontation and inter-State water disputes can only be resolved through mutual understanding and cooperation. Mr. Revanth Reddy attributed the dispute to the Centre's unilateral acceptance of Andhra Pradesh's Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) without consulting Telangana. 'The urgency with which Centre responded after A.P. submitted the PFR is a concern,' he pointed out stressing for a balanced approach in dealing with such sensitive inter-State issues. Mr. Reddy opined that if Mr. Chandrababu Naidu wants to regain power, diverting Godavari water is a key aspect. If Mr. Modi wants his seat, he needs Mr. Chandrababu's support. But such strategic interests must not undermine Telangana's rights,' he said. The Chief Minister, who is in New Delhi for the last two days to represent to the Central government, said such matters should be addressed through legal and technical evaluation, not political blame game. These disputes were between States and not individuals, he said. The Chief Minister clarified that the Banakacherla project was an ancillary project to Polavaram, the only project specifically permitted under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. The new project cannot go ahead without Telangana's consent given its direct connection to the Godavari-Penna linkage. 'A.P. issued two GOs in 2016 and 2018. Based on these, WAPCOS presented a 150-page report. The Banakacherla project proposes transferring 400 TMC in 86 days. Telangana has been allocated 968 TMCft from the Godavari as an upper riparian State, and Telangana must be allowed to fully utilise its share first,' he said. The issue would be taken up at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for June 23.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
EAC holds meeting on Polavaram–Banakacherla Project
The Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment convened a meeting to discuss the environmental clearance for the Godavari-Banakacherla Project on Tuesday (June 17, 2025). The committee is led by Professor Chakrapani, and the meeting was held in virtual mode from the Ministry's office in New Delhi. As part of this meeting, the committee is reviewing the proposal submitted by the Andhra Pradesh Government and will evaluate the environmental impact of the Banakacherla project. The Water Resources Department officials consider the meeting of the EAC as a major milestone in the approval process. The committee is now assessing the likely environmental consequences of undertaking the project. Based on the committee's report, subsequent permissions will be considered. Recognising the importance of the moment, the A.P. Government is treating this meeting with utmost seriousness. The A.P. Government would be asked to conduct the environmental impact, studies, etc. The EAC, at present, is studying the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the Godavari-Banakacherla Link project proposed by Andhra Pradesh. The EAC's evaluation report will play a critical role in determining the project's future permissions. At a later stage, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be prepared. The EAC meeting assumes significance in the wake of the Telangana Government's serious objections to the project. Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has written a letter to the EAC, urging it not to grant any approval and to outrightly reject the Banakacherla Project. He stated that the Andhra Pradesh Government was moving ahead with the project without prior consent or notification to Telangana. The project seeks to divert the Godavari waters to the Krishna basin, which he claims will result in violating Telangana's legitimate water rights. He strongly urged that no environmental clearance be granted to the project.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana Minister Uttam asks Centre to reject AP request for appraisal of Banakacherla
HYDERABAD: Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Monday requested Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav not to undertake any appraisal of the Polavaram-Banakacherla project proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government and reject outright the request to grant ToR in the upcoming meeting of EAC. In a letter to the Union minister, Uttam said that the AP government submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Environment and Forest requesting terms of reference (ToR) for the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project to divert 200 tmcft of floodwaters. This proposal was included as an agenda item for the 33rd meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on river valley projects scheduled on June 17, 2025. 'In this regard, it is to state that Andhra Pradesh has no locus standi for undertaking such a link project as the proposal submitted by it is totally against the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, 1980. The Telangana government, in its earlier protracted correspondence to MoEF/MoJS/CWC/GRMB/PPA, has explicitly stated that AP has no right to unilaterally proceed with such a huge project which will alter the water dynamics of the River Godavari infringing on the water rights of Telangana state,' Uttam wrote to Yadav in the letter. The Ministry of Jal Shakti too on its part assured Telangana that Central Water Commission (CWC) would duly examine such a proposal in accordance with extant guidelines, existing awards, inter-state agreements and various provisions under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Uttam recalled. The letter also pointed out that the AP submitted the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the project proposal to the Project Appraisal Directorate of the Central Water Commission (CWC) on May 23, 2025. The PFR was then forwarded to KRMB, GRMB and co-basin states on June 11, for their comments, he wrote.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Reject PFR of Banakacharla project: Irrigation Minister Uttam to Centre
HYDERABAD: Strongly objecting to the Andhra Pradesh government's proposed Banakacharla project, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has urged the Central government to reject the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the project that is presently under review by Central Water Commission (CWC). In a letter on Saturday, he asked Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil to initiate necessary action to prevent AP from submitting the DPR of the project to CWC. Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that during a meeting held on June 2, chaired by Sajjan Yadav, additional secretary in the Ministry of Finance, state government officials sought an update on the approval status of the PFR by the CWC. In response, the senior joint commissioner in the Ministry of Jal Shakti informed them that the report was under active consideration of the CWC. Sajjan Yadav also instructed the AP government to submit the DPR by the end of the month 'Usually, only after the CWC approves the PFR, the DPR of a project is submitted by any state government. Does the Central government asking AP to submit the DPR mean that the PFR of Banakacharla is deemed to have been approved by the Commission? We strongly object to the Union government's attitude,' said the irrigation minister.
Hans India
7 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.'
