KRMB Writes To Jal Shakti On Enhanced Capacities Of Projects In Krishna Basin

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh’s allegations that Telangana was enhancing the capacities of some of its projects on Krishna river and preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for the same, were kicked upstairs by the Krishna River Management Board, writing to the Union ministry of jal shakti on its role with respect to Telangana’s plans.

The KRMB said AP had written to it on December 8, 2025 that Telangana was enhancing capacities of the projects in the Krishna basin and was preparing DPRs without obtaining mandatory approvals or clearance from KRMB, the Central Water Commission (CWC), or the apex council.

Seeking advice on what its role is in this matter, the KRMB, in its letter on Tuesday to the jal shakti ministry, said it forwarded AP’s letter to Telangana but had not received any response, despite a reminder too being sent.

Though the KRMB said it has not received any DPR that conforms to CWC’s guidelines or mentioned which projects AP had objected to, it said it was wondering what its role was in the matter, especially in the absence of any project specific water allocations by the Krishna Waters Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II), and whether the board can even apprise any DPR, if submitted, with river water allocation still to be adjudicated by the Tribunal.

The board said that with the jurisdiction of KRMB itself currently under consideration of the Supreme Court, it was not in a position to take any decision on such matters, and requested the jal shakti ministry to provide guidance on the way forward in the case of any DPR land on its desks.

The KRMB’s jurisdiction, as per the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014, was limited to ensuring that AP and Telangana adhered to their Krishna river water allocations for their projects and it has no powers to adjudicate water usage or apportion the same to either of the states.