A.P. and Telangana resolve key river water issues in New Delhi meeting

In a significant breakthrough, the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana reached a mutual understanding on the Krishna and Godavari water issues during a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday.  

The outcome was hailed as constructive and cordial by Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu in a press conference after the meeting.

Mr. Ramanaidu said the meeting, attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his Telangana counterpart A. Revanth Reddy, the Water Ministers, irrigation officials, engineers from both States and Central Water Commission (CWC) representatives, yielded decisions on three major issues.  

Both States agreed to install telemeters on the outflows from reservoirs into canals to ensure transparency and data sharing.

A consensus was reached to preserve the Srisailam project, a symbol of Telugu heritage. Both States agreed to implement CWC recommendations and expert suggestions promptly concerning repairs and plunge pool protection.

It was decided that the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) would be headquartered in Amaravati, while the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) would remain in Hyderabad, settling a long-pending issue.  

Joint panel on Banakacherla project

Mr. Ramanaidu said that the Polavaram-Banakacherla project concerns raised by Telangana over A.P.’s proposal would be addressed positively.

Given the technical complexity, both States agreed to form a joint committee comprising administrative and technical experts under the CWC’s supervision.

The committee is expected to be constituted by Monday. The committee will also assess the annual 3000 tmc ft of the Godavari water flowing into the sea and explore options for its optimal utilisation.  

Mr. Ramanaidu praised the cooperative spirit of the meeting, calling it a ‘positive milestone’ that reinforces Telugu unity despite administrative and political differences.