Chandrababu Naidu, revanth Reddy to meet Jal Shakti Minister over ₹81,900 cr Polavaram-Banakacherla link project dispute

The Centre has called a joint meeting of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana chief ministers on Wednesday to iron out differences between the two states over Rs 81,900 crore Polavaram Banakacherla Link Project, which proposes to bring Godavari floodwaters to the state’s parched region.

Jal Shakti minister C R Paatil will meet Andhra chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy together on Wednesday over the project. Naidu government has proposed this ambitious inter-linking project to connect Krishna and Godavari basins and transferring Godavari floodwaters to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region through the Krishna basin. The project involves construction of a new reservoir at Bolapalli and using lift stations and tunnels to channel water to Banakacherla and Veligonda reservoirs. On its part, Telangana has objected to Naidu’s proposal saying this violates provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 and the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal Award of 1980. Concerns have also been raised about the project's impact on several regions, including the temple town of Bhadrachalam.

Andhra Pradesh had approached the environment ministry for clearances despite Telangana’s objections. However, the expert appraisal committee (EAC) had returned the proposal and asked the state to first have it examined by Central Water Commission under Jal Shakti ministry. The joint meeting has been called by Paatil following on this. In a letter to Telangana irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Paatil had assured, “… the Central Water Commission, under my ministry, will duly examine it in accordance with the extant guidelines, existing Tribunal Awards/ Inter-state Agreements and various provisions under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 and appropriate action will be taken.”

Earlier, Andhra Pradesh had already fast tracked the project by inviting tenders under Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). Naidu had requested the Centre for support through externally aided projects (EAP) and allocation under the Budget. Naidu has requested that 50% of the project cost be funded through EAP loans and about 20% as a grant. However, Telangana’s objections have put a spanner in the works.