Telangana: The state’s irrigation authorities have asked the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to stop Andhra Pradesh from working on the unapproved Veligonda project and making additions to it. They are concerned that these new additions might divert water from the Krishna River beyond its intended area.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao had previously objected to the unauthorized transfer of Krishna basin water to other areas. He asked the Union Minister for Jal Shakti in October 2020 to take action against this. The Union Minister also emphasized that water transfer between basins should only happen after addressing the needs within the basin first.
In May 2021, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti sent a letter instructing Andhra Pradesh not to proceed with the project until the detailed project reports were approved by KRMB and the Apex council. However, Andhra Pradesh has continued with the project despite these directions.
Telangana officials are worried that the Veligonda project and similar endeavors could harm their state’s projects, especially those that provide water to drought-prone areas and regions affected by fluoride. It could also affect Hyderabad’s drinking water supply.