The CM seeks the Centre’s intervention in ensuring efficient use of Tungabhadra water among riparian states
Tungabhadra Dam wears a festive look ahead of the inauguration of all 33 newly replaced ridge gates at Munirabad on Thursday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy sought the Central Government’s intervention in ensuring effective coordination with other riparian states in utilizing the allotted share of Tungabhadra water for the state.
He expressed concern that the state was not getting 5 to 6 TMCFT of water from the Tungabhadra against the allotted share of 15.9 TMCFT. As many as 83,987 acres of ayacut in 75 villages of Jogulamba Gadwal district were dependent on Tungabhadra water for irrigation purposes.
Since three states – Telangana, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh – were dependent on the river, the Central Water Commission should take steps to further strengthen the Tungabhadra Board for efficient use of water. The chief minister made the comments during a high-level meeting on the Tungabhadra project and inter-state river water disputes on Wednesday. The meeting expressed concern over the state of RDS anicut and demanded immediate action.
The state government had deposited ₹59 crore for upgrading the RDS canal, but the work was yet to be completed. Officials told the meeting that work on package one and two had just started and that on package three and four had been completed. The meeting decided to raise the issue during a meeting with the Union Jal Shakti Minister on Thursday.
The meeting decided to identify immediate and long-term solutions to protect their rightful share of waters under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS).
The development comes amid lingering concerns over poor water availability, silt accumulation and structural constraints affecting canal flows. The state could hardly use 5 to 6 TMCft of water against its claim of nearly 16 TMCft annually.
It reviewed the challenges faced by the decades-old irrigation system and explored a number of engineering, administrative and inter-state coordination measures to ensure effective utilization of Telangana’s allotted waters.
The Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister wanted state officials to pave the way for talks with Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and the Center to develop mutually acceptable solutions that could improve water management in the Tungabhadra basin while protecting Telangana’s legitimate rights.
Discussions focused on the ongoing difficulty in pumping sufficient water into the RDS canal despite the allocated funds available to Telangana. Heavy silting near the headwater regulator, changes in river morphology and structural obstructions have significantly affected the free flow of water into the canal system over the years.
The meeting reviewed the status of the Tummilla Lift Irrigation Scheme, which was conceived as an additional resource to stabilize the RDS ayacut and ensure greater irrigation security for farmers in the region. The chief minister wanted irrigation officials to explore scope for increasing the storage capacity of the Mallammakunta reservoir to 5 to 6 TMCFT, even if it meant acquiring more land.
The project was planned in two phases, with Phase I involving the construction of three pumping stations and Phase II involving three equalization reservoirs, including the reservoir at Mallammakunta, to increase water availability and improve irrigation reliability.
Structural and hydraulic issues requiring a durable solution capable of serving the system for the next 15 to 20 years were discussed without issue. Several recommendations of the 2004 expert committee were revisited during the deliberations.
Key recommendations discussed included the removal of silt and sediment deposits near the canal entrance, restoration of proper falls to facilitate smooth water entry, and lining works to stabilize river flows and protect vulnerable sections.
Experts have pointed out the need to build a retaining wall to prevent siltation of the RDS water source, thereby providing income to the farmers of Telangana. . According to engineering assessments, a substantial portion of the river flow tended to move towards Andhra Pradesh under certain conditions, reducing water availability at the mouth of the Telangana Canal.
As an immediate measure, dredging proved to be one of the most practical options considered. Engineers explained that systematic dredging near the head of the canal could remove accumulated silt and improve water transport during the critical irrigation season.
The chief minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan exploring all available alternatives, including dredging, canal head improvements, upgrading works, additional lift irrigation options and inter-state coordination mechanisms.
Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Telangana will continue to seek solutions to protect the interests of farmers dependent on RDS ayacut. The aim was not only to secure allocations on paper, but to ensure that the allocated waters physically reach the farmers’ fields.
Published – 24 Jun 2026 21:13 IST