Sat Jun 14 17:00:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Telangana Opposes Centre’s Move on Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project**

**Hyderabad – June 14, 2025** – The Telangana government has voiced strong opposition to the Central government’s directive asking Andhra Pradesh to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link project. Telangana argues that the project violates provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act (APRA) and the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT).

Telangana’s Minister for Irrigation, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, conveyed these concerns in a letter to Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil on June 13th. Minister Reddy stated that the project, which aims to divert 200 TMC ft of Godavari water to non-basin areas of Krishna and Penna, would adversely impact Telangana’s riparian rights within the Godavari basin.

According to the letter, the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) had previously stated that Andhra Pradesh had not submitted a DPR to the Central Water Commission (CWC). However, recent communications indicate that the CWC is actively considering a pre-feasibility report (PFR) for the project. Minister Reddy highlighted that a meeting held by MoJS on June 2nd, attended by Andhra Pradesh officials, revealed that the PFR was under review and that a Ministry of Finance official requested the submission of the DPR by the end of June.

“Does the Centre asking A.P. to submit the DPR mean that the PFR of the project is deemed to have been approved by the CWC? We strongly object to the Centre asking A.P. to submit the DPR of the Banakacherla project,” Mr. Uttam Reddy said.

The Telangana government emphasizes that the proposed project lacks assured water allocation from the GWDT and views the Centre’s move as a cause for serious concern. Mr. Uttam Reddy has urged Minister Patil to direct the CWC to reject the PFR and prevent Andhra Pradesh from pursuing further actions on the project, including awarding tenders.

**Summary:**

The Telangana government is protesting the Central government’s instruction to Andhra Pradesh to submit a DPR for the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link project. Telangana argues the project infringes on their water rights and violates existing agreements. They claim the Centre is prematurely pushing the project forward without proper approvals and have asked for the pre-feasibility report to be rejected.

Read More