Regional Politics, Legal Storms Brewing Over AP’s Rs.80,000 Crore Water Link Project

Hyderabad: The Godavari–Banakacherla link project has become a flashpoint in inter-state politics. This is overshadowing the plan’s high potential to ease water scarcity and boost regional development in Andhra Pradesh.

AP’s visionary project, conceived by the alliance government, is designed to divert surplus Godavari floodwaters to the state’s drought-prone regions. However, leaders in AP and Telangana are engaged in a wordy duel over it.

Telangana’s Congress leaders accuse AP of political showmanship, while Andhra Pradesh leaders allege that Telangana’s resistance is motivated by political interests rather than any genuine concern.

Andhra Pradesh is the tail end of the Godavari river flow. It bears the brunt of the river’s floods every year. The state government stresses that the project’s sole aim is to use the surplus water that otherwise runs waste into the sea.

AP’s minister Nara Lokesh has been vocal. Defending the project, he said, “Lower riparian states can draw water only when there are abundant or surplus waters.” This reinforces the legal position that water use is contingent on availability beyond the upstream claims. “The Banakacherla project has been proposed in the territory of AP. We are lifting the Godavari water that is flowing waste into the sea. It is illogical for Telangana to raise objections,” he observed. Lokesh described Telangana’s objections as “illogical” and “politically motivated,” accusing critics of disregarding the dire water needs of Rayalaseema. The minister stressed that the PBLP aligns with national priorities like the Jal Jeevan Mission and Make in India, promising to transform Rayalaseema into a horticulture and industrial hub.

Telangana’s leadership responded to this with sharp criticism. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka dismissed Lokesh’s remarks as “misleading” and “provocative,” asserting that river basin states have inherent rights to floodwaters regardless of a perceived surplus. He said the Congress-led Telangana government “is committed to safeguarding the state’s water entitlements” and has put a hold on the Banakacherla project until its pending irrigation initiatives are completed.”

“Water is a lifeline for Telangana’s farmers. We cannot allow unilateral projects that deny us our due share,” Bhatti asserted.

Telangana has alleged multiple violations of established water-sharing frameworks. Key allegations include breach of the Godavari water disputes tribunal (GWDT) award of 1980 and the AP Reorganisation Act 2014. The state also says AP has not secured mandatory technical clearances from the central water commission, the Godavari river management board, the Krishna board, or the apex council. Telangana warns that the project threatens its water rights, particularly affecting drought-prone regions dependent on assured allocations. It asserts that AP claim on unallocated floodwaters beyond the 1,486tmc limit “is unilateral and unjust.”

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu echoed this position, urging Telangana to set aside political posturing for the sake of regional development. “Water is a shared resource. Instead of blocking progress, Telangana should join hands with us in utilising these surplus waters to benefit millions suffering from drought,” he said at a recent public meeting before the Jal Shakti meeting.

Telangana’s Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has publicly called for dialogue but remains sceptical about AP’s intentions. “We are open to cooperation but will not compromise on Telangana’s water security. Any development must be equitable and respect tribunal awards,” Reddy said.

On January 22, 2025, Telangana’s irrigation minister Uttam Kumar Reddy wrote to Union Jal Shakthi minister C.R. Patil and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying “the PBLP violates the 1980 Godavari water disputes tribunal award and the AP reorganisation act. He accused AP of taking up the project unilaterally, compromising Telangana’s water security.

Telangana sent another letter on June 13, 2025, objecting to the requirement of submitting a DPR before PFR approval. Telangana views this as an irregular implicit approval of the PFR and reiterates its demands that the CWC reject the PFR, preventing AP from proceeding with the project.

The ministry of Jal Shakti, in a reply to Uttam Kumar’s letter, assured Telangana that the central water commission would duly examine such a proposal in accordance with extant guidelines, existing awards, inter-state agreements and various provisions under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The reply also stated that AP submitted the pre-feasibility report of the project proposal to the project appraisal directorate of the CWC on May 22, 2025. The PFR was then forwarded to KRMB, GRMB and co-basin states on June 11, for their comments.

As both states hold firm to their positions, the fate of the Rs.80,112 crore project hangs in the balance. While the Godavari–Banakacherla link project offers a pragmatic solution to chronic water shortages, its success depends not only on engineering and financing but also on overcoming political rancor and fostering interstate collaboration.