In a significant move aimed at addressing the potential impact of the Andhra Pradesh government’s Godavari-Banakacharla link scheme, the Telangana government has called for an all-party meeting on Wednesday, to be chaired by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The meeting, scheduled for later today, will see detailed presentations made by irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on the implications of the project for Telangana.
The move comes as the Andhra Pradesh government continues to push forward with its plan, which has sparked concerns in Telangana over potential legal complications. These concerns stem from the belief that the AP scheme violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award and the AP Reorganization Act.
The meeting’s guest list includes all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from Telangana, as well as Union ministers G Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay, signifying a united front from all elected representatives of the state against the Andhra Pradesh government’s scheme.
The Godavari-Banakacharla link scheme aims to divert water from the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh to the Prakasam district, which has been facing water scarcity issues for several years. However, the Telangana government contends that the project could disrupt the water flow into its own irrigation projects and adversely affect agricultural production, a key economic driver for the state.
As the debate continues, both states await a decision from the Central Water Commission, which is expected to provide a technical assessment of the scheme’s impact on the Godavari river system. The outcome of this assessment could have far-reaching implications for inter-state water sharing and potentially trigger legal action if the Telangana government’s concerns are not addressed.
This meeting in Hyderabad underscores the complexities surrounding the Godavari-Banakacharla link scheme, a contentious issue that straddles political, economic, and environmental considerations. As negotiations continue, both governments and stakeholders will need to balance their respective interests while ensuring compliance with established water laws and maintaining peace along the Godavari river system.
