CityLightBuzz: Former Telangana Minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao on Tuesday accused the Andhra Pradesh government of attempting to derail several key Telangana irrigation projects by placing controversial proposals before the upcoming Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) meeting scheduled for August 18 in Hyderabad.
Addressing a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, Harish Rao questioned the silence of the Telangana Government over the GRMB agenda, alleging that it appears to have been prepared primarily to serve the interests of Andhra Pradesh at the cost of Telangana.He said the agenda contains proposals seeking a review and suspension of approvals already granted to several major Telangana irrigation projects, calling it an attack on the state’s water rights and self-respect.
Seeks CM Revanth Reddy’s Response
Harish Rao questioned Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for not reacting to what he termed a serious threat to Telangana’s irrigation interests.
He alleged that while the Chief Minister is vocal on political issues, he has remained silent on Andhra Pradesh’s objections to Telangana’s projects and demanded that the government explain its stand before the GRMB meeting.
Projects Under Threat
According to Harish Rao, Andhra Pradesh has sought a review of approvals granted to several Telangana projects, including:
- Kaleshwaram Project
- Choutuppal Hanumantha Rao Project
- Chinna Kaleshwaram
- Chanaka-Korata Project
- Modikunta Vagu Project
- Kadem Gudem Lift Irrigation Scheme
- Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project
- Sammakka Barrage (Sammakka Sagar)
He stated that these projects had already received statutory approvals during the previous BRS government and questioned how those approvals could now be reopened for review.
Threat to Telangana’s Water Rights’
Harish Rao alleged that the Andhra Pradesh Government is attempting to permanently weaken Telangana’s irrigation infrastructure by challenging these projects.
He said the Sitarama Lift Irrigation Project, which supplies irrigation water to Khammam district, and the proposed Sammakka Sagar Project, intended to provide irrigation and drinking water to Mulugu, Warangal and surrounding regions, are among the projects being targeted.
Questions GRMB’s Authority
The BRS leader questioned the authority of the GRMB to review or revoke approvals that had already been cleared by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Central Government after examination by various expert agencies.
He asked whether there was any precedent in the country’s history where approvals already granted to irrigation projects were later withdrawn through such a process.
Criticism of Andhra Pradesh
Harish Rao alleged that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, despite publicly claiming that he never opposed Telangana’s irrigation projects, had written to the Centre seeking intervention against them.
He claimed that the inclusion of these proposals in the GRMB agenda contradicts those public statements.
Concerns Over Sammakka Sagar
Harish Rao said the Sammakka Sagar Project was sanctioned during the previous BRS government with an allocation of 47 TMC of water.
He said the project is crucial for:
- Providing irrigation to nearly 4 lakh acres under SRSP Stage-II.
- Supplying irrigation to around 40,000 acres through Ramappa and Pakala systems.
- Providing drinking water to Mulugu district and parts of Warangal.
He alleged that Andhra Pradesh has objected to the project on the grounds that it could affect Polavaram, and described it as an attempt to obstruct Telangana’s legitimate share of Godavari waters.
Calls for Centre and BJP to Respond
Harish Rao urged the Telangana Government, BJP leaders from Telangana, Union Ministers, and state irrigation officials to clarify their stand on the GRMB agenda.
He warned that if the proposals move forward, the BRS would launch a strong agitation to safeguard Telangana’s water rights and irrigation projects.
He also criticized the Congress government, alleging that it has failed to secure approvals for new irrigation projects or effectively utilize both Godavari and Krishna waters during its tenure.
Harish Rao demanded that the Telangana Government place its position before the people and ensure that the state’s irrigation interests are protected at the upcoming GRMB meeting on August 18.
