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Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MoEF expert panel returns Polavaram-Banakacherla link proposal; Andhra Pradesh directed to revise plan after Telangana concerns
HYDERABAD: In a big relief to Telangana and a setback for the Andhra Pradesh govt on the Polavaram-Banakacherla link project (PBLP), the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change's (MoEFCC) expert appraisal committee (EAC) has returned the proposal of the link project to the neighbouring state. The Andhra Pradesh govt has sought approval of the terms of reference (TOR) for conducting an environmental impact assessment and also public hearing for PBLP. With the setback, the Andhra Pradesh govt has to send the proposals afresh to the MoEFCC (river valley and hydroelectric projects) after revising them as per the EAC recommendations. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The Telangana govt has been opposing the project as it is detrimental to the interests of the state and also the AP govt was taking up the project against the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award orders and violation of other laws. Chief minister A Revanth Reddy and irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy had met Union minister of jal shakti CR Patil a few days ago and put for the state's objections. The state govt also conducted an all-party meeting on the Banakacherla issue. The EAC committee at its 33rd meeting discussed the proposal on June 17 and the minutes of the meeting were released on Monday. The members of the committee opined that the proposed scheme aims to divert floodwaters from the Godavari basin (Polavaram Dam) to the water-deficit basins within the state. "The EAC further observed that environmental clearance (EC) for the Indira Sagar Polavaram multipurpose project on the Godavari River, located at Polavaram in AP, was granted by the ministry on Jan 25 2005. However, due to submergence-related issues in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, the matter remains sub-judice," the committee members said. The committee also recommended that the project proponent should comprehensively assess the availability of floodwaters in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC). "The EAC also said that several representations have been received via email, alleging that the proposed scheme may be in violation of the Godavari Tribunal Award, 1980. In view of this, it is imperative that the project proponent should approach CWC for examining the inter-state issues and granting necessary clearance/permission before submitting the proposal for framing the TOR for conducting the EIA study," the EAC meeting opined.


New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
BRS MLA Harish praises Telangana Minister Uttam for writing to Centre against Andhra Pradesh's G-B project
HYDERABAD: Congratulating Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy for writing a letter to the Centre, opposing Andhra Pradesh's proposed Banakacherla-Godavari (G-B) project, BRS MLA T Harish Rao on Sunday urged the state government to convene an all-party meeting and a special session of the Assembly to discuss the issue. The former Irrigation minister also urged the government to take a policy decision on the G-B project. In an open letter to Uttam, Harish said that it was learnt that the AP government has sent a pre-feasibility report on G-B to the Centre. While appreciating Uttam for seeking the DPR, he also requested Uttam to demand the Centre to immediately convene an Apex Council meeting. Though 969 tmcft of Godavari water was allocated to Telangana, it could not utilise more than 200 tmcft due to lack of projects. That was why the BRS government conceived major projects like Kaleshwaram and others, he said. Highlighting some key points in the Godavari Tribunal Award, Harish said that when AP proposed to divert 200 tmcft Godavari water through G-B project, Telangana should get 112.5 tmcft additional water in Krishna river. Due to the construction of Polavaram, Telangana should get an additional 45 tmcft water. With this, Telangana should get an additional 157.50 tmcft in Krishna river, Harish said while asking Uttam to focus on all these issues. 'Take proper steps on G-B project, the BRS will stand by you,' Harish told Uttam.


Hans India
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Harish Rao seeks apex council meet on APRA violations
Hyderabad: Complimenting Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy for his strong letter to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry objecting to Andhra Pradesh's Banakacherla Project, senior BRS leader Harish Rao has suggested that the Irrigation Minister press the Centre to convene an Apex Council meeting to discuss violations of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014. The BRS leader addressed a letter to the Irrigation Minister on Sunday, requesting him to convene an all party meeting or a special session of the Assembly to discuss the issue and formulate a policy decision. Mr Rao stated that, as per the Godavari Tribunal Award, engineers during the undivided Andhra Pradesh period had asserted the state should receive 1,480 TMC of water, with Telangana projects being allocated 969 TMCs through various Government Orders. However, due to a lack of project construction and several projects still being under construction, Telangana's utilisation had never even reached 200 TMCs. He noted that the previous BRS government stabilised 19 lakh acres and also provided water to one lakh acres by undertaking barrages such as Sadarmat, Sundila, Annaram, Medigadda, Sammakkasagar, and Sitarammasagar in the Godavari basin. Mr Rao warned that with the Andhra Pradesh government attempting to draw 200 TMCs from the Godavari, Telangana stands to lose out. He recalled that even before the formation of the Godavari Tribunal, the AP government aimed to complete the Banakacherla project to divert 200 TMCs. He urged the Minister to hold discussions with engineers and make a favourable decision for Telangana.