Telangana Government to challenge Andhra Pradesh's irrigation projects in Supreme Court
Hyderabad: Telangana’s State Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, announced that the state government would approach the Supreme Court over the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) and the Bankacherla project.
The Minister expressed concerns that the Andhra Pradesh government’s proposed Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Bankacherla Lift Irrigation Scheme, which are being constructed without necessary regulations, could threaten Telangana’s irrigation projects and drinking water supply.
The Minister made this decision during a review meeting at the Irrigation Department headquarters, Jalasaudha, on the morning of April 5, 2025. The meeting was attended by senior irrigation officials.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the Telangana government would soon convene a special meeting with the Standing Counsel of the Irrigation Department and the Advocate General to initiate legal action in the Supreme Court. The goal is to protect Telangana’s rightful share of water from the Godavari and Krishna rivers.
Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted the Bankacherla Lift Irrigation Scheme, which aims to divert 200 TMC of Godavari water from the Polavaram reservoir to Rayalaseema through the Bollapally reservoir and Bankacherla head regulator. He stated that the estimated cost of the project is ₹80,112 crores. He added that this project is part of Andhra Pradesh’s broader plan to interlink the Godavari and Krishna rivers.
The Minister accused the Andhra Pradesh government of violating the orders of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) from 1980, as well as the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act of 2014. He claimed that the project was proceeding without the necessary approvals from the Central Water Commission, the Godavari and Krishna River Management Boards (GRMB and KRCB), and the Apex Council.
Uttam Kumar Reddy also referred to the provisions of Sections 46(2) and 46(3) of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, accusing the Andhra Pradesh government of seeking central funds for backward area development in a manner that contradicts regulations.
The Telangana government had already raised objections to the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme concerning the Krishna River reservoirs. In February, a committee of experts from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change directed that the Rayalaseema project be returned to its original state. The committee noted that the Andhra Pradesh government had violated environmental regulations. The Telangana government had requested this action, along with the National Green Tribunal, the Supreme Court, and relevant ministries.
Despite these directives, the Andhra Pradesh government continues to proceed with the project through indirect methods, according to Minister Reddy. He stated that Telangana would present its concerns before the Supreme Court to challenge the violations and prevent illegal water diversion.
The Minister also expressed worries that diverting Godavari floodwaters to Rayalaseema could jeopardize the historical Bhadrachalam temple, along with other significant sites. He criticized the BRS government for failing to take action over the past decade, which he argued allowed Andhra Pradesh to proceed with such plans.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy also accused the BRS government of not stopping the illegal diversion of water by Andhra Pradesh, despite being aware of the issue.
In addition, the Minister announced that tenders for silt removal works in reservoirs and lakes across the state would be released soon. These works aim to improve the water storage capacity of the reservoirs and lakes by removing accumulated silt.
The meeting was attended by state government advisor for the irrigation department, Aditya Das Nath, Special Secretary Prashanth Jeevan Patil, R&R Commissioner Vinay Krishna Reddy, Chief Engineers Anil Kumar and Vijay Bhaskar Reddy, among others.
