Telangana Flags Andhra’s Krishna Water Diversion to Non-Basin Areas in Deficit Years

Swift Summary:

• Telangana has informed the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II that Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) is diverting over 40 tmc ft of water from Srisailam to outside basin areas via Telugu Ganga, even during deficit years, without allocation by any water disputes tribunal.
• Senior counsel for Telangana argued that A.P.’s projects under surplus water-based schemes lack proper tribunal-mandated allocation and are misleading in terms of Schedule-XI listed projects.
• Telangana claims the diversions by A.P. deny return flows to its in-basin areas and requested restrictions on outlets drawing from Srisailam reservoir.
• Interim directions were sought for the Krishna River Management Board to prevent improper diversions, alongside specific allocations for evaporation savings and compensation (45 tmc ft) for Godavari waters diverted to Krishna Delta from Polavaram.
• Upper riparian states Karnataka and Maharashtra have also called for a greater share in Krishna waters due to shortages caused by A.P.’s external basin usage practices.
• ancient agreements highlight shared upstream allocations near Nagarjunasagar, emphasizing Telangana’s exclusive dependence on these in-basin resources.
• The Tribunal has deferred further hearings until September 23-25.

Indian Opinion Analysis:
The ongoing dispute underscores longstanding complexities surrounding inter-state river water sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana post bifurcation, accentuated by competing demands from upper riparian states like Karnataka and Maharashtra. Diversion of Krishna Basin waters, especially without formal allocations through tribunals or agreements, raises critical questions about equitable sharing frameworks necessary to address acute deficits during drought conditions across impacted regions.

Efforts by Telangana to seek regulatory oversight suggest growing awareness of long-term sustainability concerns tied closely with resource utilization policies in shared basins like the Krishna river system-already pressured due to interstate conflicts arising after india’s state reorganization processes. These hearings could set important precedents governing future inter-state resource negotiations while shaping regulatory norms aimed at preventing over-utilization or misallocation amid persistently fluctuating rainfall patterns.

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