Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has made a strong appeal for unity between the two Telugu states, emphasizing that political differences should not hinder cooperation on critical water sharing and river interlinking projects. His call comes at a time when the Supreme Court is actively hearing a plea from the Telangana government seeking to halt expansion works related to the Polavaram project.
A Plea for Cooperation Amid Legal Battle
Speaking at the 3rd World Telugu Conference in Guntur on Monday, Naidu highlighted the wastage of vast quantities of water from the Godavari and Krishna rivers into the sea annually. He asserted that ambitious river interlinking initiatives, such as the Polavaram project and the Krishna-Godavari linkage, are vital solutions to India's persistent water scarcity problems. "Unity among Telugu people is essential for the progress of the Telugu language and community," Naidu stated, directly appealing for collaboration between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
This public outreach followed a significant development a day earlier, on Sunday, when Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi in Mumbai. The meeting was convened to discuss the state's legal strategy in the ongoing Supreme Court case concerning the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project.
The Core of the Dispute: Permissions and Proposals
The legal contention stems from Andhra Pradesh's proposed plans to link the Polavaram project to other reservoirs. The Telangana government's petition argues that the linking of Polavaram to Banakacherla or Nallamala Sagar was undertaken without necessary permissions. This project, as initially envisioned, aimed to divert 200 TMC of Godavari floodwater from Polavaram to the Banakacherla regulator in Kurnool district.
In a bid to address Telangana's objections, the Andhra Pradesh government, under Naidu's leadership, had already taken a step back in November of last year. It proposed a new project to divert surplus Godavari waters to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region and cancelled the contentious Polavaram-Banakacherla link project.
The central government intervened in July, following a meeting between Naidu, Reddy, and Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil. The Centre decided to establish two separate expert committees comprising technical officials and representatives from both states and the central government to mediate and resolve the water disputes.
Shifting Focus: From Banakacherla to Nallamala Sagar
As a direct result of negotiations and discussions, the Andhra Pradesh government subsequently withdrew a tender notice issued on October 11 that called for a detailed project report on the Polavaram-Banakacherla link. Officials from the state's Water Resources Development Department clarified that the new focus is on a modified plan: transferring water from Polavaram to the Nallamala Sagar under the Veligonda Project in Prakasam district.
Chief Minister Naidu emphasized his government's desire to avoid controversy with the neighboring state. The current approach appears to be one of diplomatic recalibration, seeking a path forward on water resource management that minimizes conflict while addressing Andhra Pradesh's irrigation and drinking water needs.
The Supreme Court hearings represent a crucial juncture in this long-standing inter-state issue. The outcome will not only impact the future of the Polavaram project's expansion but also set a precedent for how water sharing disputes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are adjudicated in the post-bifurcation era.
