Telangana Water Rights at Risk: BRS Alleges Betrayal in Godavari-Cauvery Link Plan

Former minister Harish Rao warns that bypassing the state in river-linking projects could compromise long-term water allocations for Telangana.

The political heat surrounding water infrastructure in Telangana has intensified, with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) accusing the state’s Congress government of weakening Telangana’s position on inter-state water sharing. Former minister and BRS MLA T. Harish Rao claims that current proposals for the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project are being manipulated to benefit neighbouring Andhra Pradesh at the expense of Telangana’s statutory water rights.

At the heart of the controversy is the alignment of the proposed project. Harish Rao argues that the original consensus—supported by various National Water Development Agency (NWDA) meetings—required that any diversion of Godavari waters should pass through Telangana territory, specifically moving from Ichampalli or Sammakka Sagar toward the Nagarjunasagar dam. However, the BRS alleges that the latest plans intentionally bypass Telangana, seeking instead to route water from Polavaram directly toward Nallamalasagar and the southern regions.

Concerns Over Strategic Interests

The BRS maintains that if the Godavari-Cauvery link proceeds without involving Telangana’s geography, the state would lose out on future allocations. Historically, Telangana has insisted that it is entitled to a 45 tmc ft share in Krishna waters if Godavari waters are diverted to the Krishna basin by Andhra Pradesh. By allegedly sidelining Telangana in the current project design, critics argue the state government is allowing Andhra Pradesh to reap the primary benefits of a national-level project while sacrificing Telangana's legal entitlement.

The opposition has also directed sharp criticism at Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS). Reports suggesting the state might trade approvals for the controversial Banakacherla project in exchange for clearances for the PRLIS have drawn fierce pushback. Harish Rao clarified that the 90 tmc ft of water allocated to the Palamuru-Rangareddy project is already a rightful share of Telangana and should not be treated as a bargaining chip for concessions.

The Long-Standing Dispute

This latest friction builds upon years of historical tension regarding the Banakacherla and Nallamalasagar proposals, which faced significant hurdles in gaining acceptance due to inter-state disagreements. The BRS asserts that its previous administration fought to protect the state’s 968 tmc ft share of Godavari waters, insisting that all pending state projects receive statutory clearances before any new diversion schemes move forward.

As the debate continues, the fundamental tension remains whether the central and state governments will adhere to the original proposal of utilizing Telangana’s irrigation infrastructure as the conduit for the river-linking project. For now, the BRS remains firm: it will oppose any plan that excludes the state from the water-sharing framework, viewing such moves as a surrender of the state’s long-term agricultural and industrial security.