Hyderabad, December 17 – The Telangana government has submitted a writ petition to the Supreme Court, seeking an immediate stay on Andhra Pradesh’s plan to expand the Polavaram Right Bank Canal. The petition alleges that the move violates binding tribunal awards and is aimed at diverting an additional 200 tmcft of water from the Godavari river without proper statutory approvals.
In the 251-page writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, Telangana has challenged the e-procurement notice issued by Andhra Pradesh for the expansion project. The dispute revolves around Andhra Pradesh’s plan to divert an increased amount of water from the Godavari, a move that Telangana argues is in contravention of binding tribunal awards and provisions mentioned in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
The Polavaram Project, located on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh, has been a contentious issue between the two states for several years. The project, which involves the construction of a multi-purpose irrigation power project and flood control, has been a point of contention due to concerns about water distribution and potential environmental impacts.
The dispute over the Polavaram Right Bank Canal expansion is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court in the coming weeks. The decision could have significant implications for both states, particularly with regards to water management and inter-state relations. This development serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in managing shared resources like the Godavari river.
