Hyderabad, 24.12.2024 : The Telangana- AP Krishna water dispute has taken a significant turn with Telangana urging the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal to adopt a unified approach in handling evidence and documents submitted by both states. This development marks a fresh plea under Section 89 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2023, as Telangana seeks project-specific water allocations to ensure equitable distribution.
Telangana’s Plea for Unified Adjudication
- Treating all evidence as common records for fair adjudication.
- Introducing project-wise water allocations in alignment with the new Terms of Reference (ToR) under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
- Developing operational protocols for water releases during periods of deficit flow.
The state raised concerns about Andhra Pradesh diverting Godavari water to the Krishna River via the Polavaram project, emphasizing the need for better resource management.
Andhra Pradesh’s Opposition
Andhra Pradesh, however, has challenged Telangana’s proposal, citing existing water-sharing agreements among Krishna River riparian states. Key arguments from AP include:
- A belief that the new ToR is redundant and misaligned with prior guidelines under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
- Ongoing legal proceedings in the Supreme Court challenging the ToR issued on October 6, 2023.
Despite the apex court suggesting AP present its arguments to the Tribunal, the state maintains its opposition to a consolidated hearing until the court delivers a final verdict.
Centre’s Role and Tribunal’s Mandate
The central government issued the revised ToR to the Tribunal to address long-standing issues between the two states. The Tribunal’s expanded scope includes:
- Reevaluating water-sharing mechanisms.
- Addressing new and ongoing projects with equitable water allocations.
Conclusion
The Telangana- AP Krishna water dispute continues to evolve, reflecting the complexities of inter-state water sharing. Telangana’s push for fairness and Andhra Pradesh’s legal stance underline the challenges in resolving this critical issue. As the Tribunal deliberates, the outcome will have far-reaching implications for water management and interstate relations in India.
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