Centre to form panel to resolve AP-Telangana Polavaram project, other inter-state water issues

New Delhi, Jul 16 (PTI) The Centre on Wednesday decided to constitute a high-level technical committee within a week to examine concerns around the Polavaram Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP) and other pending inter-state water issues between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

The move follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil with both Chief Ministers -- N Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh and A Revanth Reddy of Telangana -- in attendance.

The Jal Shakti Ministry said the committee, comprising senior officials and technical experts from both states and the Centre, will collaboratively assess outstanding issues and recommend equitable and technically viable solutions.

"To address the remaining issues in a comprehensive and technical manner, it was decided to constitute a committee," the ministry said in a statement.

Andhra Pradesh's proposal for the PBLP, which aims to divert 200 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari floodwaters to drought-prone Rayalaseema through the Banakacherla complex, has been opposed by Telangana, which fears the project could compromise its water security.

Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu said the committee will help ensure that the project is examined with technical clarity, while his Telangana counterpart, N Uttam Kumar Reddy, said all pending and disputed issues will be reviewed within a month.

"This committee will draft a roadmap to provide justice to both states. Though governed by different parties, we are Telugu people and must work together," Ramanaidu said.

Also, the Telangana chief minister said the Centre had formally ratified a previous agreement to locate the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) in Hyderabad and the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) in Amravati.

"This is not a new decision, but a ratification of what was agreed upon earlier under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act," he said, referring to the 2020 apex council agreement between the then chief ministers.

The river boards, set up to manage shared water resources post the 2014 bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, will now operate from the designated states as part of efforts to streamline river basin management.

The meeting also saw agreement on installing telemetry instruments at all off-take points along the Krishna river and its canals.

Telangana CM Reddy said Andhra Pradesh had accepted the proposal, and that the KRMB would carry out the exercise with funds to be immediately provided.

"Telemetry will allow for real-time monitoring and provide reliable data. This will bring transparency and build trust," Reddy said.

Further, Telangana raised concerns over the condition of the Srisailam dam, a key structure on the Krishna river operated jointly by both states. Reddy said the Centre had directed Andhra Pradesh to immediately undertake urgent repair and maintenance work at the dam.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said repairs in vulnerable areas such as the plunge pool would be prioritised.

With a history of discord over river water allocation and usage, Wednesday's meeting marked a shift in tone, with both states signalling a commitment to dialogue and cooperation.

"The Centre is playing the role of a facilitator. It is now up to both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to work together in the spirit of cooperation," Revanth Reddy said.

The issues are concerning two different states ruled by two different parties but "Telugu people are one", Ramanaidu said.

"Keeping this in mind, cordial discussions were held to resolve the concerns," Ramanaidu added. PTI LUX UZM KSS KSS