Article Today, New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have agreed to implement key measures to manage Krishna-Godavari river waters more transparently. The decision came during a meeting convened by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil on Wednesday. The chief ministers of both states—Revanth Reddy and N. Chandrababu Naidu—participated in the talks along with irrigation ministers and senior officials.
Telimetry System Gets Green Signal
A key outcome of the meeting was the joint agreement to implement a telemetry system across river points. This system will monitor water usage in real-time and ensure transparency. Telangana had long demanded this mechanism, citing its inclusion in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. However, it remained unimplemented until now. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy hailed Andhra Pradesh’s approval of the system as a major success.
River Board Offices to Operate as per Bifurcation Law
Both states also agreed to operationalise the river management board offices as specified in the Reorganisation Act. The Godavari River Management Board will operate from Telangana, and the Krishna River Management Board from Andhra Pradesh. Though this decision was taken earlier during an Apex Council meeting, it had not been implemented.
Repairs to Srisailam Project Approved
Andhra Pradesh has also agreed to undertake urgent repairs to the Srisailam dam. These include strengthening the plunge pool and other components based on expert recommendations from the National Dam Safety Authority. The state has been granted approval to carry out the work on a priority basis.
High-Level Committee to Resolve Disputes
The meeting also resolved to establish a high-level committee of senior officials and experts. This committee will study pending issues related to water usage across Krishna and Godavari rivers and their tributaries. Within a month, it will assess existing, ongoing, and proposed projects. The findings will help guide further decisions.
Telangana Raises Concerns on Polavaram
On the proposed Godavari–Banakacharla link under the Polavaram project, Telangana voiced strong concerns. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy pointed out that several institutions—including the Central Water Commission and Polavaram Project Authority—had raised objections. He clarified that Andhra Pradesh did not commit to this component during the meeting. However, Telangana made it clear that it would oppose the project if pursued.
Meeting Held in Cordial Atmosphere
The discussions took place in a positive and cooperative environment. Revanth Reddy praised Minister Patil’s neutral handling of the talks, comparing him to a judge. He clarified that this was not a formal negotiation but an informal meeting where the Centre acted as a facilitator between the two states. This meeting marks a rare consensus between the Telugu states and offers hope for long-term resolution of river water disputes through cooperation and transparency.
