Andhra takes up measures to get project clearance for Polavaram-Banakacherla
The EAC instructed AP to resolve interstate disputes and secure CWC clearance before resubmitting. Unresolved submergence concerns in Odisha and Chhattisgarh tied to the Polavaram project, which are still under judicial review.
Sources in the government disclosed that the State is actively engaging with the Central government to reverse the EAC's decision while simultaneously working to resolve differences with Telangana to clear obstacles for PBLP. The project aims to divert 200 TMC of Godavari floodwater to irrigate 7.41 lakh acres, stabilise 22.58 lakh acres in Rayalaseema and south coastal districts, and supply industrial water.
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The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Banakacherla: BRS blames Congress, BJP ‘silence' for AP going ahead
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India Today
12 hours ago
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Andhra Minister claims Telangana's Kaleswaram project began without Centre nod
As the water-sharing tussle between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana intensifies, Andhra Pradesh Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh has made a big claim about the origins of the Kaleswaram project in a post on X, the TDP leader said the Telangana government began work on the Kaleswaram project during its previous term without seeking approval from the Centre.'The Telugu Desam Party never objected to the construction of the upstream Kaleswaram project on the Godavari. Though the Telangana government started work without central approval, we didn't write a single letter against it, because the Telugu community would benefit,' Lokesh said. advertisement The Kaleshwaram irrigation project, built during the previous BRS regime at a cost of over Rs 1 lakh crore, came under scrutiny following structural issues, including the reported sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage.'The Banakacherla project utilises only a small portion of the excess floodwaters of the Godavari, which otherwise drain into the sea. This project will benefit the Telugu community and everyone should support it,' Lokesh the ongoing row over the Banakacherla–Polavaram linkage, Lokesh urged political parties in both states to support the project, calling it beneficial for all Telugu also accused political parties of creating rifts between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by fuelling regional disputes. Calling for unity, he said the Telugu Desam Party has always stood for the interests of Telugu people across both project, which forms part of a larger river interlinking plan, has drawn sharp criticism from Telangana over its potential impact on interstate water-sharing Jul 28, the Centre told Parliament that no construction had started yet on the Banakacherla–Polavaram project. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary said the Andhra Pradesh government had submitted only a Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) for the project.'As informed by the GoAP, the work pertaining to the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project has not yet been taken up,' the minister whether the Centre would issue a stop-work order in light of Telangana's objections, the minister said the question does not arise at this stage. He also acknowledged receiving representations from the Telangana government and said that the project is currently undergoing a techno-economic appraisal by the Central Water Commission in consultation with all concerned authorities and co-basin states.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh#Telangana
NDTV
13 hours ago
- NDTV
Andhra Pradesh-Telangana Water Row: Nara Lokesh Accuses Opponents Of Stirring Regional Tensions Over Water Dispute
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has accused certain political groups of attempting to inflame regional passions and incite hatred over the water dispute between the two Telugu states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Addressing a press conference, Lokesh spoke about the Banakacherla project, to divert Godavari waters to drought-prone Rayalaseema, which is at the centre of the current dispute. He alleged that political gain, not genuine concern, is driving the objections to the project. He questioned why there are objections to the use of surplus water that would otherwise flow into the sea. Lokesh also brought up the Kaleshwaram project in Telangana, questioning whether it had all the necessary permissions before construction. Lokesh asserted that if a project is constructed in a downstream state, an upstream state should not have grounds for objection. He accused those objecting to Andhra Pradesh's water projects of having a double standard, suggesting that they are fine with their own projects but raise objections when Andhra Pradesh attempts to use water that flows into its territory. The minister's comments come amidst a renewed water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, primarily centered on the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link project. Telangana has objected to the project, leading to a back-and-forth between the two states. The conflict has also involved the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti. While there have been recent agreements to form a committee to resolve water issues, the Banakacherla project remains a point of contention. "It is an NDA government. We managed to save the Vizag Steel plant. We will manage this too. We can answer the CWC," he claimed.
