BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao has taken the offensive, lashing out at the government’s silence on Almatti.
Published Oct 12, 2025 | 3:55 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 12, 2025 | 3:55 PM
Synopsis: Telangana faces mounting pressure from opposition BRS over Karnataka’s Almatti Dam height increase and Andhra’s Polavaram-Banakacherla project, threatening water security. CM Revanth Reddy’s government vows Supreme Court challenges, rejecting BRS accusations of inaction, while Andhra’s Naidu calls it a ‘win-win.’ Interstate tensions rise amid farmer anxieties and legal battles.
The Telangana government is coming under increasing pressure from the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to take a tougher line against Karnataka for its move to raise the Almatti Dam height and Andhra Pradesh’s renewed push for the massive Polavaram–Banakacherla link project.
Karnataka has cleared Phase III of its Upper Krishna Project, which seeks to elevate the Almatti Dam’s crest level from 519.6 metres to 524.25 metres — a move expected to significantly boost the state’s storage capacity.
Downstream states, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, have long viewed this as a potential threat. Raising the dam’s height could further strain water availability for Telangana’s irrigation systems, particularly during lean seasons.
At the same time, Andhra Pradesh is aggressively advancing its Rs 81,900-crore Banakacherla project, designed to divert surplus Godavari water through the Polavaram Right Main Canal into the Krishna basin for Rayalaseema. Telangana has accused its southern neighbour of violating riparian rights and contravening the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
The twin developments have placed the Congress government in Telangana under political and public pressure. There is criticism that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is hesitating to act decisively while neighbouring states are moving forward.
BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao has taken the offensive, lashing out at the government’s silence on Almatti.
“Talking big and doing nothing are two different things,” he said, warning that Telangana risked betraying its foundational promise of water security. Rao also accused the government of indirectly backing Andhra’s Banakacherla project.
Citing a letter from Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil dated September 23, 2025, Rao pointed out that Andhra Pradesh’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for Banakacherla was already under techno-economic examination. Yet, Telangana had made no strong counter. He also alleged irregularities in the tender process, saying the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is expected to augment the capacity of Polavaram Right Main canal from 1,500 cusecs to 23,000 cusecs.
Adding to the interstate tension, Harish Rao referred to Karnataka reportedly threatening to withhold 112 TMC of Krishna water if Andhra diverted 423 TMC from the Godavari, while Maharashtra warned it might block 74 TMC in retaliation.
Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who represented the state at the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) hearings in Delhi, has reiterated Telangana’s strong opposition. “We will not allow Banakacherla under any circumstances. It’s a clear violation of our rights,” he declared, adding that a comprehensive petition is being readied for the Supreme Court. “There will be no compromise on Krishna waters.”
Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Telangana had already submitted written objections to Union Minister CR Patil and would also oppose any move to raise Almatti’s height. Dismissing Harish Rao’s allegations as “misinformation,” he said the Congress government was acting responsibly and within legal frameworks to protect the state’s interests.
From Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has brushed aside Telangana’s protests, calling Banakacherla a “win-win project” that harnesses surplus Godavari water currently flowing wastefully into the sea.
He urged Telangana to cooperate, contending that the linkage would not harm any state’s interests. Irrigation Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu echoed his remarks, asserting that the project aimed at equitable water security rather than inter-state confrontation.
Despite these assurances, the confrontation appears headed for a prolonged legal and political battle. Telangana is preparing to move the Supreme Courtn as discontent brews among farmers in Krishna-dependent districts such as Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda. Many are anxious that bureaucratic delays and political indecision could jeopardise irrigation during the coming seasons.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the state would block Banakacherla “by all means — through direct appeals and legal measures.” He maintained that Telangana’s water rights “come first, no matter which party rules the neighbouring states.”
Taking aim at the previous BRS regime, Uttam accused Harish Rao and his party of mismanaging Krishna allocations in the past. “During their tenure, Andhra Pradesh got 512 TMC, while Telangana received only 299 TMC out of the total 811 TMC. Yet they now question our commitment,” he charged.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
