Harish demands clarity from CM on water talks in three states

Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao before the press in Hyderabad on Saturday | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

Former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao on Saturday accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of compromising Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna and Godavari waters for political interests and demanded that the government make public the decisions taken at the recent meeting of the three states – Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana – after the inauguration a few days ago at the Tungabhaway dam and the Spillabhaway site. details before the legislature.

At the press conference, Mr. Rao also sought to clarify whether the state’s claim to 968 tmc in the Godavari, the allocation of 15.90 tmc under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) pending irrigation project approval and Telangana’s interests in the proposed river-linking plans were protected.

Expressing concern over the projects of both Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, he said Karnataka is going ahead with the proposed 35 tmc Naveli Reservoir upstream of RDS, while Andhra Pradesh is planning the 20 tmc Gundrevula project downstream. “Together, these projects could impound about 55 tmc of water, affecting inflows into the Srisailam reservoir and jeopardizing irrigation schemes like the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project,” he said.

The former minister asked if the chief minister had given assurances on allocation of Telangana under RDS, closure of unauthorized shops in Andhra Pradesh and repairs to canal system and dam. He also sought an explanation for the closed-door meeting attended by the chief ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka along with a senior official from the water resources department, while Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior officials were reportedly kept out.

Expressing concern over reports of proposed Godavari river linking plans, he said it could bypass Telangana’s interests and affect projects like Sammakka Sagar, which is expected to irrigate nearly four thousand acres in Warangal and Nalgonda districts. He claimed that the state government was prioritizing river interlinking proposals that could benefit Andhra Pradesh.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 20:04 IST