Notes for Students
Topic: Inter-State Water Dispute: The Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project and Telangana-Andhra Conflict, News Source: The Hindu
Context of the Article: A renewed inter-State water dispute has erupted between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the proposed Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project, which aims to divert 200 TMC ft of Godavari River water to the Krishna and Penna basins, primarily for Andhra’s Rayalaseema region.
UPSC Paper Topic Belongs To:
- GS Paper 2: Federalism, Inter-State Relations
- GS Paper 3: Infrastructure – Irrigation, Water Resources
- GS Paper 2: Governance – Role of Institutions in Dispute Resolution
- Essay Paper: River water as a resource and a point of conflict
Dimensions of the Article:
- River Interlinking and Water Equity
- Riparian Rights vs Regional Priorities
- Federal Asymmetry and Centre’s Role
- Political Undercurrents and Historical Baggage
Context of Editorial
A fresh dispute has erupted between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in June 2025 over the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project, proposed by the Andhra Pradesh government. The project seeks to divert 200 TMC ft of Godavari River water to the Krishna and Penna basins to address water scarcity in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region.
Andhra Pradesh submitted a pre-feasibility report to the Central Water Commission (CWC) and has been asked to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR).
- The Centre has agreed to fund 50% of the ₹80,000 crore project under the national river-linking scheme.
- This move has triggered strong opposition from Telangana, which sees it as a violation of riparian rights and accuses the Centre of political bias, particularly due to its alliance with the ruling TDP government in Andhra Pradesh.
- Political parties in Telangana — Congress (in power) and BRS (opposition) — are trading accusations over who enabled Andhra to proceed with the plan.
- Telangana has also raised concerns about unequal treatment under the FRBM Act, as the Centre had earlier restricted Telangana’s borrowing for the Kaleshwaram project, citing fiscal violations.
- The situation is being seen as a test of the Centre’s neutrality in managing inter-State water disputes, with experts and engineers from Telangana urging a balanced and fair review of all pending projects in the Godavari basin before clearing new ones.
Feature of the News
| Aspect | Details |
| Project Name | Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project |
| Purpose | Divert 200 TMC ft of Godavari water to Krishna & Penna basins for Rayalaseema |
| Estimated Cost | ₹80,000 crore |
| Centre’s Role | CWC has requested DPR; Centre to fund 50% as part of river interlinking |
| Telangana’s Grievances | Violation of riparian rights, partisan FRBM limits, bypassing consultation |
| Political Accusations | BRS vs Congress blame-game; BJP silent due to TDP alliance at Centre |
| Legal Framework Invoked | Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014; Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal |
Explainer
Background of River Sharing in the Region
- Godavari and Krishna Rivers: Lifelines for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; water allocation governed by Inter-State Water Tribunals.
- Post-bifurcation, the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 governs water-sharing between AP and Telangana.
- Telangana’s Assertion: Any diversion of Godavari waters should be done only after ensuring Telangana’s rightful share and consultation.
The Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project
- Proposed by Andhra Pradesh to address water scarcity in Rayalaseema, a historically drought-prone region.
- Seeks to transfer water from the surplus Godavari basin to the deficit Krishna-Penna basins.
- CWC has asked for DPR after a pre-feasibility report was submitted.
- Centre’s funding promise: 50% of ₹80,000 crore cost under National Interlinking of Rivers Program.
Telangana’s Objections – Core Concerns
| Grievance | Explanation |
| Riparian Rights | Telangana is a co-riparian; diversion without consultation violates water-sharing norms. |
| Political Bias | Centre cited FRBM violations to restrict Telangana’s borrowings, but is allowing Andhra extra-borrowing room for the same. |
| Past Precedents | AP objected to Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project; now wants to divert the same Godavari waters. |
| Future Claims | Telangana fears AP will use this diversion to seek greater share in Krishna waters in future reallocation by tribunals. |
Legal and Institutional Aspects
| Body | Role |
| Central Water Commission (CWC) | Technical clearance for interlinking projects; has asked for DPR. |
| Apex Council | Established under the Reorganisation Act for inter-State river water disputes. |
| Godavari and Krishna Water Dispute Tribunals | Existing tribunals decide water allocation across States. |
| Ministry of Jal Shakti | Responsible for overall river-linking programs and dispute resolution. |
6. Demands from Telangana Experts
- Ensure equitable clearances for Telangana’s pending Godavari basin projects.
- Provide compensatory allocation of 200+ TMC in Krishna basin if Godavari waters are diverted.
- Maintain federal neutrality in Centre’s financial and technical decisions.
Conclusion: Need for a Federal and Fair Approach
- Water-sharing is not just technical, but deeply political and emotional.
- Any interlinking or diversion should be based on riparian equity, transparent consultations, and legal clarity.
- The Centre must ensure balance and impartiality, particularly in post-bifurcation States where regional trust is fragile.
- Projects like Polavaram–Banakacherla must be seen not just as engineering feats, but as tests of cooperative federalism.
