Centre invites CMs of Telugu states to meet over Banakacherla link project; Revanth says no to talks

Hyderabad: For the first time in recent times, the Union government has convened a meeting with the Chief Ministers of both Telugu states to discuss ongoing water disputes. The meeting is scheduled for July 16, Wednesday in Delhi and will be chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions as Telangana has launched an offensive against Andhra Pradesh over the controversial Rs 81,000 crore Banakacherla link project construction.

High drama preceded the proposed meeting when Telangana wrote to the Union Jal Shakti Minister on Tuesday, opposing any discussion on the Banakacherla project and instead proposing a comprehensive 10-point agenda. This response came after Andhra Pradesh had earlier proposed a single-point agenda focused solely on the Banakacherla project.

Following Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's instructions, Telangana's Principal Secretary Rahull Bojja wrote to the union ministry stating there was no need to discuss Banakacherla and demanded immediate revision of the agenda. The letter outlined all objections regarding the Godavari-Banakacherla Link Project.

Telangana's proposed agenda includes permissions for pending Krishna river projects, water allocations, recognition of Palamuru and Dindi projects as national projects per the Center's earlier commitment, ABIP assistance with 80 TMC water allocation for the Pranahita project at Tummadihetti, construction of a new project for utilizing 200 TMC flood waters at Icchampalli, and other related matters.

The Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), Central Water Commission Board (CWCB), and Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) have raised serious objections to Banakacherla, said the letter by Telangana. The project currently lacks any permissions and violates laws and tribunal verdicts, according to Telangana's letter.

The EAC under the Central Environment Ministry has already rejected Andhra Pradesh's pre-feasibility report. Telangana argued that discussing the project would damage the credibility of Central government regulatory agencies and appealed to postpone any discussion on it while including their own proposals in the agenda.

The Telangana government has decided to mount further pressure on the Union government, seeking permissions and funding for all pending Krishna river projects on a war footing. The Congress government aims to end what it calls a decade of injustice regarding water allocations and Central funding.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy revealed at a Monday review meeting that records show the previous BRS government leaders, including then-Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, failed to raise these issues in the first and second apex committee meetings.

Telangana will demand its legally due share of Godavari waters and emphasize its commitment to utilize every drop of allocated water. The delegation will meet the union minister on July 16 to insist on achieving Telangana's fair water share, approval for all projects under construction, and water allocation for new projects.

Revanth criticised the BRS government for leaving incomplete irrigation projects on Krishna river without water allocations and abandoning the life-saving Pranahita-Chevella project at Tummidihetti on Godavari after spending Rs 11,000 crores. He alleged the previous government built the Kaleshwaram project and wasted over Rs 1 lakh crore of public money for commission-driven motives.