Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted delays in project clearances, unresolved inter-state water allocation disputes and the urgent need for financial assistance to complete key irrigation works.
Published Dec 14, 2025 | 11:39 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 14, 2025 | 11:39 AM
Alamatti Dam.
Synopsis: The Telangana government has sought the Union government’s urgent intervention to protect its water rights and address long-pending issues in the Krishna as well as the Godavari river basins. The letter was written in the wake of Karnataka’s move to raise the height of Alamatti dam and Andhra Pradesh’s decision to move ahead with the Polavaram–Nallamalasagar Link Project.
Amid renewed controversy over Karnataka’s move to acquire land for raising the height of the Almatti dam on the Krishna River, the Telangana government has sought the Union government’s urgent intervention to protect its water rights and address long-pending issues in the Krishna as well as the Godavari river basins.
Raising serious concerns over inter-state actions that could adversely impact downstream flows, Telangana also pressed for faster clearances for its irrigation projects and a halt to what it terms “illegal” flood-based interlinking proposals by Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, in a detailed letter addressed to VL Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, highlighted delays in project clearances, unresolved inter-state water allocation disputes and the urgent need for financial assistance to complete key irrigation works.
The letter, dated December 13, underscores what the state describes as mounting frustration over procedural bottlenecks at the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the absence of time-bound decisions on tribunal-related issues.
Referring specifically to the Almatti dam issue, Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that the Karnataka government had issued a government order on 9 October, for land acquisition at the Almatti dam site corresponding to a proposed storage level of +524.256 metres. This, he said, was in direct conflict with a Supreme Court stay order restraining Karnataka from increasing the dam height to that level.
He urged the Union government to immediately restrain Karnataka from proceeding with the land acquisition, warning that the proposed increase in storage would pose a “serious threat” to assured Krishna river flows to Telangana projects.
The minister noted that Karnataka was reportedly proceeding with land acquisition involving an expenditure of around ₹70,000 crore. With the apex court’s stay still in force, any such expenditure would be at Karnataka’s own risk and could result in unfruitful use of public funds, he cautioned.
More importantly, Telangana fears that higher storage at Almatti would enable upstream retention of waters, reducing inflows to its irrigation systems.
Beyond Almatti, the letter places strong emphasis on delays in central clearances for Telangana’s irrigation projects, particularly the Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS).
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for PRLIS was submitted to the CWC based on a reallocation of 90 TMC of assured waters — 45 TMC from minor irrigation utilisation and another 45 TMC from Godavari diversion. Although queries raised by the CWC were addressed by the Chief Engineer, Nagar Kurnool, as early as 5 June 2025, the clearance remains pending.
Warning of adverse consequences due to prolonged delays, the minister said this would not only defer benefits to farmers in backward and drought-prone areas but also lead to cost escalations and time overruns. He sought fast-track clearances, proposing that PRLIS be appraised for Phase-I with an initial utilisation of 45 TMC, including 7.15 TMC earmarked for drinking water.
This, he said, would allow early benefits while Phase-II works could proceed after obtaining clearances from the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT).
Similar concerns were raised regarding the Sammakka Sagar Project, for which DPR clearance from the CWC’s Irrigation Planning Directorate is awaited.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said Telangana had furnished point-wise replies to all queries, including additional data on actual utilisations, and requested that the clearance process be expedited.
On the broader Krishna basin disputes, the minister pointed out that several ongoing projects in Telangana, originally initiated by the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh based on surplus water permitted under the KWDT-I award, are still awaiting clearances.
With adjudication of Krishna waters between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh currently before KWDT-II (Brijesh Kumar Tribunal), he urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to advise the tribunal to complete hearings expeditiously, enabling the state to secure long-pending approvals.
The letter also sought approvals for seven major projects, including the Pranahita–Chevella, Narayanpet–Kodangal, Sita Rama Lift Irrigation, Sitamma Sagar, Mukteshwar Lift Irrigation, Modikuntavagu and Chanaka Korata projects. While techno-economic viability has been accepted for four of these, investment clearances are still awaited.
A major portion of the communication to the Union government was devoted to Telangana’s apprehensions over the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP), now renamed the Polavaram–Nallamalasagar Link Project (PNLP) by Andhra Pradesh.
Uttam Kumar Reddy objected to the very basis of the project, noting that inter-state river projects must be appraised on the basis of 75 percent dependability of assured waters, as per guidelines, and that neither “flood waters” nor “surplus waters” find mention in the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award of 1980.
He pointed out that Maharashtra and Karnataka have also expressed reservations. Maharashtra has flagged its drought-prone regions in Vidarbha and Marathwada and sought clarity on guidelines for flood-based projects, while Karnataka has indicated it would seek an increased share of Krishna waters in lieu of Godavari diversion.
These responses, Telangana argues, validate its fears that upstream abstractions in both Krishna and Godavari basins would reduce flows into the state.
Despite these objections, the Union government is proceeding with appraisal, while Andhra Pradesh has invited tenders for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation under a renamed project, retaining the same core components.
Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Ministry of Jal Shakti to immediately restrain the CWC and other statutory bodies from proceeding with the appraisal of the PBLP/PNLP in any form, warning that it would be detrimental to Telangana’s long-term water security.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
