Latest news with #KrishnaRiverManagementBoard
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
TG set to expose AP over Krishna waters diversion
Hyderabad: The Telangana government is prepared to expose Andhra Pradesh on the illegal diversion of Krishna waters, as state Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy will deliver a PowerPoint presentation on the issue at Praja Bhavan on Wednesday. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is also expected to attend the programme, where he will make a statement on the government's resolve to fight Andhra Pradesh over the water sharing disputes. The event will be attended by all ministers, Congress MPs, MLAs, and MLCs. Uttam will also explain the disastrous decision by the previous BRS government to change the project's course from Tummidihatti to Medigadda, detailing its catastrophic consequences for the state's irrigation sector. Officials stated that the Irrigation Minister will present all details regarding the lifting of Krishna River water without seeking the approval of the Krishna River Management Board following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The BRS's failure to protect Telangana's interests in the utilisation of Krishna water will be highlighted in the presentation. The Minister will explain the technical issues stemming from the poor construction and management of the Sundilla, Annaram, and Medigadda barrages by the previous government. The state government has already stated that the Kaleshwaram project has plunged the state into a deep financial crisis.
The Print
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Telangana is still fighting for its water 10 years after breaking away from Andhra Pradesh
The Srisailam project regulates the flow of 811 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water—of which 299 TMC is allocated to Telangana, while the rest goes to Andhra Pradesh. Out of the 285 TMC capacity of the Nagarjunasagar dam, Telangana receives 90 TMC. At the heart of the water-sharing issue lies the Krishna river, which flows through Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh share two dams built on the river—the Srisailam dam and the Nagarjunasagar dam. More than 10 years after its separation from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana is still fighting for its rightful share of water. A dispute over Nagarjunasagar dam water-sharing led to a face-off between the two states' police in November 2023. As Telangana officials were busy with elections, police and irrigation department officials in Andhra Pradesh released more than 2,000 cusecs of water—beyond the state's share. The 2023 incident exemplified how Andhra Pradesh has repeatedly used more than its allocated share of water. The people of Telangana have suffered due to these inequalities, which should have ended after bifurcation when the state gained control over its resources. To ensure that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana adhere to the water-sharing ratio of 66:34, the central government set up the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), which comprises officials from the two states as well as central officials. It should have been smooth sailing with the KRMB taking over the duties of water-sharing, but the issue remains unresolved. Also read: Two Telugu states, one river — why Andhra & Telangana are fighting it out over the Krishna Political rivalry complicates water disputes The water-sharing battle is as much political as it is technical. When K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) became Telangana's first chief minister, his contemporary was Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu in Andhra Pradesh. The two leaders were at odds—Naidu not only had to share the capital Hyderabad but was also running Andhra Pradesh from Telangana, as Hyderabad remained the joint capital for 10 years post-bifurcation. What added to the tension was the fact that KCR was once a TDP member who quit the party in 2001 to form the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now Bharat Rashtra Samithi). His former boss had become his political rival. When YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief Jagan Mohan Reddy won in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, there seemed hope for better relations. KCR, being anti-Naidu, began warming up to Jagan. Both leaders held meetings, and it appeared Telangana and Andhra Pradesh would finally get along. But the honeymoon was short-lived—and the reason was water. Andhra Pradesh decided to use 3 TMC of water from the Srisailam dam without informing the KRMB or Telangana, thus ending any prospect of collaboration between the two states. Telangana seeks larger share After bifurcation in 2014, the BRS government under former chief minister KCR sought a higher share of water from the Krishna river—demanding a 50:50 ratio instead of the current 66:34 split favouring Andhra Pradesh. The matter was taken to the Brijesh Kumar disputes tribunal and remains pending. 'The issue has always been with AP officials releasing more water from our side without informing us. Telangana is a new state and we need more water, especially since we have major projects like Kaleshwaram,' an official from the Telangana irrigation department said. Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh has undertaken several major projects, including the Polavaram national irrigation project on the Godavari river. Located near Ramayampet village in West Godavari district, the project aims to irrigate 75.38 lakh acres and supply 7.32 TMC of drinking water to Visakhapatnam city. With Congress now in power in Telangana—a party historically at odds with the TDP—an amicable solution between the two states seems unlikely. The only way forward is for the KRMB to do its job and ensure both states receive their rightful share of water. Yunus Lasania is a Hyderabad-based journalist whose work primarily focuses on politics, history and culture. He tweets @YunusLasania. Views are personal. (Edited by Prashant)
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Krishna river board to release 4tmc ft water to Andhra Pradesh, 10tmc ft for Telangana
Vijayawada: After elaborating discussions with both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana govts, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has decided to release water to meet the drinking water needs in both the Telugu states. However, AP will get just 4tmc ft of water against its indent for release of 10tmc ft of water. Interestingly, Telangana is getting its full quota of 10.26tmc ft as per its indent. In fact, Telangana raised its objection to release 10tmc ft of water to AP in view of the shortage of water in both the major inter-state projects. The three-member committee of KRMB studied the water availability in both Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar projects and lowered the minimum draw down level (MDDL) in Nagarjuna Sagar to 505ft from the 510ft, while maintaining the MDDL at 800ft in Srisailam project in view of the requirements. The team found about 8tmc water available in Srisailam and another 12.79tmc in Nagarjuna Sagar at MDDL. Though 21.21tmc water is available in two projects, 4tmc have been deducted as evaporation loss and another 2tmc ft of water kept was reserve cushion to meet emergency needs. Subsequently, the three-men committee made recommendation to give 4tmc to AP and 10.26 tmc to Telangana from the available pool of 14.2tmc. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo AP water resources minister Nimmala Rama Naidu said that that water has been released from the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal through the KRMB from Thursday afternoon to fill the reservoirs. He mentioned that 447 drinking water reservoirs in the Palnadu, Guntur, Bapatla, and Prakasam districts under the Sagar right canal will be filled with water. He directed officials from the irrigation, revenue, and RWS departments to coordinate and ensure that the water is used solely for drinking purposes. The minister clarified that after three crop holidays, irrigation water was provided to the Nagarjuna Sagar ayacut during the last season, resulting in abundant crop yields. He said that they have also secured water to meet drinking water needs.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
KRMB allots 10 TMC to T for drinking water needs
Hyderabad: The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) has allocated 10.26 thousand million cubic feet (tmc ft) to Telangana and four tmc ft to Andhra Pradesh from the available water in the Srisailam Dam and Nagarjunasagar to meet the drinking water requirements of both the states. A three-member committee of the KRMB held a meeting on May 5, which was attended by Telangana irrigation officials. They submitted the water requirements of the state, while AP officials could not attend the meeting due to prior commitments. The allocations were made after considering the available 16.97 tmc ft of water in both the reservoirs. Two tmc ft of water was kept as cushion to meet unforeseen drinking water needs until sufficient inflows are received in the common reservoirs, the KRMB said. The water release order issued on Thursday stated that both states have to utilise the water judiciously and it should be released from the dams preferably through powerhouses to derive power generation benefits. "The water release should begin from Thursday (May 22), ensuring the release of 5,500 cusecs continuously through the NSP right main canal until the quantity of 4 tmcft is released for AP. The Srisailam reservoir should be operated in such a way that the water requirements of Telangana are met from the reservoir and a minimum water level of 800 feet should be maintained until July 31," the order said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The Board stated that the chief engineers of both states were responsible for the judicious delivery of water and it should be reported to the KRMB invariably as a joint statement by both the state govt officers and engineers-in-chief of Telangana and AP to ensure that the water release and delivery was utilised for the purpose for which the water was released. Regarding the situation, the KRMB said that considering the water availability of the minimum draw down level (MDDL) of both reservoirs (800 feet in Srisailam and 510 feet in Nagarjunasagar) was only 10 tmc ft, it was not possible to meet the drinking water requirements of both states. In view of the urgency and need, the KRMB decided to release water in Nagarjunasagar until 505 feet instead of 510 MDDL and 800 feet in Srisailam.
