Supreme Court refuses to hear Telangana’s plea against Polavaram project
The Chief Justice noted that an Article 131 action would be a more “comprehensive and effective” remedy because the dispute essentially involved an interstate water dispute. File. | Photo credit: The Hindu
The Supreme Court on Monday (July 13, 2026) refused to entertain a plea filed by the Telangana government under Article 131 of the Constitution seeking to prevent Andhra Pradesh from proceeding with preparatory and design activities for the proposed Polavaram–Banakacherla/Nallamalasagar Link Project citing procedural flaws in the.
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that the plea cannot be taken up for hearing until the Telangana government completes the required procedural formalities.
“The court cannot deal with this matter today because there are certain deficiencies and formalities that the petitioner must fulfill…,” the Bench stated.
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The Supreme Court clarified that the matter will be registered with the registry in accordance with the applicable rules once the procedural requirements are met.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Telangana government, said the procedural defects would be rectified and asked that the matter be listed further.
The dispute is over Andhra Pradesh’s proposal to divert excess water from the Godavari River in the Polavaram reservoir to the drought-prone Banakacherla area of Rayalaseema. The state planned the project as a major initiative to improve irrigation, expand drinking water supplies, and recharge groundwater in water-scarce areas.
Telangana has strongly opposed the proposal, saying it would encroach on its legal share of Godavari waters and violate the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal ruling. According to the state, the tribunal’s decision continues to govern the distribution of the river’s waters among the basin states and any unilateral diversion by Andhra Pradesh without following due process of law would be impermissible.
Monday’s plea is not Telangana’s first attempt to challenge the project in the Supreme Court. In January, the state withdrew the suit after the apex court expressed a prima facie view that it was not sustainable. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant disposed of the petition while giving Telangana freedom to pursue any other remedy available under law, including the institution of a suit under Article 131 of the Constitution, which deals with disputes between states.
The Chief Justice noted that an Article 131 action would be a more “comprehensive and effective” remedy because the dispute essentially involved an interstate water dispute.
“Ultimately, at the end of the day, it is a water dispute… and you feel that their project could affect your share of Godavari water,” the Bench told Mr Singhvi.
Telangana further argued that the proposed project is in violation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, which envisages cooperative federalism and equitable use of shared water resources after the bifurcation of the former state.
Published – 13 Jul 2026 22:55 IST