The celebration by CM Revanth Reddy claiming that a historic agreement was reached among three states during the inauguration of Tungabhadra gates in Karnataka is completely ridiculous and severely harms Telangana’s interests. The Karnataka government has taken up the construction of the Naveli Reservoir with a capacity of 35 TMCs below Tungabhadra and above RDS. Similarly, the Andhra Pradesh government has planned the Gundrevula Project with a capacity of 20 TMCs below RDS and above Sunkesula. Together, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are planning projects to store 55 TMCs of water, causing serious injustice to Telangana.The 2013 Brijesh Kumar Tribunal judgment clearly stated that if there are siltation issues, alternatives should be explored and that water allocations cannot be made for Gundrevula. During the BRS government’s nine-and-a-half years, when Andhra Pradesh tried to construct Gundrevula, we strongly opposed it and pushed it into cold storage.Today, because a person who is a follower and associate of Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu has become Telangana’s Chief Minister, Gundrevula has come back into discussion.
If Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh stop 55 TMCs of water on the Tungabhadra River, that water will ultimately not reach the Srisailam Project. This will severely affect the Kalwakurthy and Palamuru-Rangareddy lift irrigation schemes dependent on Srisailam. In the meeting of the three Chief Ministers, Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and state engineers were not allowed inside and were made to sit outside. Only the three Chief Ministers and Union Water Resources Secretary Kanta Rao participated in that meeting. Revanth Reddy must reveal what agreement was made in that secret meeting held in the presence of Kanta Rao. A Chief Minister who does not know where Devadula is located or which state Nallamala belongs to, and who has repeatedly been embarrassed due to lack of knowledge about Bachawat and Brijesh Kumar Tribunals, has little understanding of river waters and more confusion. Revanth Reddy must clarify whether he secured Telangana’s rightful 15.9 TMC share through RDS. KCR introduced the Thummilla Lift project and ensured water reached at least 50,000 acres. Did Revanth Reddy obtain any assurance regarding the 15.9 TMC allocation during yesterday’s meeting? Karnataka is illegally constructing three barrages on Tungabhadra with a total capacity of 9.5 TMCs without approvals. Due to these Karnataka projects, Telangana will suffer losses, but Revanth Reddy did not even raise the issue in the meeting.If Karnataka stops around 45 TMCs of water through Naveli and other barrages, tomorrow even 5 TMCs may not reach RDS. The Palamuru region could turn into a desert. BRS, as a party that fought for Telangana’s rights, will not remain silent if Revanth Reddy compromises the state’s water rights.Telangana had 968 TMCs of Godavari water allocation, and during the BRS rule, approvals were obtained for 830 TMCs. Another 138 TMCs are pending.
Earlier, Congress and TDP governments in 60 years secured approvals for only 265 TMCs, whereas BRS secured approvals for 383 TMCs in nine-and-a-half years. The Congress government has completed more than two-and-a-half years but has not obtained approval for even one new TMC. Revanth Reddy is damaging Telangana’s interests by agreeing to Godavari–Banakacherla linking without protecting Telangana’s 968 TMC rights. Andhra Pradesh has already used its allocated 512 TMCs and is now trying to divert another 200 TMCs from Godavari in the name of river linking. Reports suggest that Revanth Reddy made agreements allowing the Polavaram–Banakacherla link from Andhra Pradesh instead of Telangana. He must answer this. KCR fought for years, pressured the Centre, and even approached the Supreme Court to get the Krishna water redistribution tribunal. But Revanth Reddy’s ignorance and his desire to please his mentor have become a curse for Telangana’s river water rights.Revanth Reddy must explain what Chandrababu Naidu and the Central Secretary discussed in the secret meeting. All political parties must be consulted on this issue, and the details of the three Chief Ministers’ meeting should be placed before the Assembly for discussion.There are reports that Sammakka Sagar is being sacrificed in exchange for an NOC for Palamuru-Rangareddy Project. Sammakka Sagar’s 47 TMCs was meant to provide water to 4 lakh acres in Warangal and Nalgonda districts. Why is Revanth Reddy sacrificing it? River linking may be Chandrababu and Modi’s dream, but it should not happen by sacrificing Telangana.
Revanth Reddy must answer:
- Have you protected Telangana’s 968 TMC Godavari rights?
- Is Sammakka Sagar being included in interlinking plans or not?
- Will Telangana get 50% of the water?
- Did you secure the 15.9 TMC RDS share?
- Will you write to stop Karnataka’s illegal projects?
The Chief Minister must give clarity to the people of Telangana. If strong arguments are made before tribunals and good lawyers are appointed, Telangana can secure 700–800 TMCs.
You may be a ‘construction master,’ Revanth Reddy, but we have no objection — just do not become a ‘master of submerging Telangana.
