Sat Jul 12 10:28:02 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A meeting of the Union Jal Shakti Ministry’s Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR) is scheduled for July 15th to discuss the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project. This project is significant for Tamil Nadu, as it aims to provide the state with much-needed water resources. However, the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have differing views on the project, with Telangana raising objections until the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT)-II finalizes water shares. Tamil Nadu, along with Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry, are also involved. The meeting, chaired by Union Minister C.R. Patil, will attempt to reach a consensus and move the project forward. The project involves diverting water from the Godavari River to the Cauvery River, with a portion allocated for Chennai’s drinking and industrial needs. The government is actively working toward an agreement between the involved parties to ensure the project’s early implementation.

**News Article:**

**Godavari-Cauvery River Link Project Faces Hurdles as States Disagree**

**CHENNAI, July 12, 2025** – A crucial meeting scheduled for July 15th, convened by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry’s Special Committee for Interlinking of Rivers (SCILR), aims to address the contentious Godavari-Cauvery river linking project. The ambitious project, designed to divert water from the Godavari River to the Cauvery, is vital for Tamil Nadu, which stands to gain a substantial share of the diverted water resources.

However, the project faces significant hurdles due to disagreements between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. While Andhra Pradesh supports the project outright, Telangana has raised objections, primarily concerning the need to finalize the Krishna water shares through the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT)-II before proceeding.

“We are committed to finding a resolution that addresses the concerns of all involved states,” said a source within the Jal Shakti Ministry.

The meeting, to be chaired by Union Minister C.R. Patil via video-conferencing, will include representatives from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Puducherry. Tamil Nadu has been a strong advocate for the project, seeking the early implementation of the link to alleviate its water scarcity issues. The current plan allocates 41 tmc ft of water to Tamil Nadu, with 10.1 tmc ft specifically earmarked for Chennai’s drinking and industrial needs.

The Godavari-Cauvery link project involves a multi-stage process, including links between the Godavari and Krishna rivers, followed by connections to the Pennar and ultimately the Cauvery.

The National Water Development Agency (NWDA) confirmed efforts are underway to secure an agreement between the central government and the involved states for the project’s speedy implementation. The agency circulated the draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) and draft Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) earlier this year.

The successful realization of this project could significantly impact water security in the region, but reaching a consensus remains a key challenge.

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