In a statement made in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, the Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, has emphasized that new irrigation projects on the Godavari River should only be considered after the surplus water share for both Telugu States has been officially determined.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about potential downstream projects on the Godavari River. He further clarified that the responsibility of deciding water allocation rests with the Union government, a role they are currently engaged in.
It is worth noting that Telangana was created with water security as one of its primary objectives. The state has already undertaken several ongoing irrigation projects on the Godavari River, including Indira Sagar, Rajiv Sagar, and Devadula.
The comments from the Telangana Deputy Chief Minister echo sentiments shared by other officials in the state, who have advocated for a fair distribution of water resources between Telugu States.
The issue of water distribution has been a point of contention between the states, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana often expressing differing views on the matter. Notably, the Rajiv Sagar project is situated in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam district.
As August 2025 approaches its end, the Union government is expected to make decisions regarding water allocation and potential new projects on the Godavari River. The response from states such as Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, led by their respective political figures like Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and N Chandrababu Naidu (Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh), will be closely watched.
Meanwhile, the Congress party, with Rahul Gandhi leading its efforts in the region, has not yet publicly commented on the issue but is expected to release a statement soon. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
