AP to Press for Review of Kaleshwaram Approval at CWC Meet
Telangana’s irrigation officials will also attend the meeting.
Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to present its case before the Central Water Commission (CWC) chairman on Monday, seeking a review of the approval the commission granted to Telangana’s Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
The high-level meeting chaired by CWC president Anupam Prasad will deliberate on contentious issues surrounding projects on the Krishna and Godavari rivers.
AP’s focus will be on securing clearance for its prestigious Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar/Banakacharla regulator linkage project, which aims to utilise Godavari floodwaters. The state will urge CWC’s technical advisory committee to endorse the scheme, while opposing approval for Telangana’s Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project, which was not sanctioned under the state reorganisation act.
Officials said the AP delegation, led by special chief secretary Shashibhushan Kumar, adviser M Venkateswara Rao, and engineer-in-chief Narasimh Murthy, will argue that the Kaleshwaram project was constructed in violation of Godavari tribunal guidelines and therefore requires a fresh review.
Telangana’s irrigation officials will also attend the meeting.
The agenda includes approval of the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar linkage project, currently under feasibility review at the Centre. Discussions will focus on Telangana’s objections, including its plea to the Supreme Court against the project and examination of inter-state disputes over Godavari water utilisation.
AP maintains that the linkage project, if cleared, will pave the way for the Centre’s ambitious Godavari–Cauvery interlinking scheme. The state has already submitted a feasibility report, highlighting that Godavari experiences flood flows for 90 to 120 days annually, with potential to lift 2tmc per day during peak flood periods.
While Telangana has opposed the project at multiple forums—including the CWC, the interstate water development authority, and the Supreme Court—no directive has yet been issued by the apex court. This has heightened anticipation over Monday’s meeting. Major decisions are expected. The inconclusive first round had been held on January 20.
