Telangana Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy has raised serious concerns over the allocation of Krishna River waters, alleging that Telangana is being subjected to injustice. He accused the Andhra Pradesh government of illegally diverting water and demanded immediate intervention from the central government to prevent further violations.
Speaking at a meeting of irrigation ministers chaired by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry on Tuesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted Telangana’s water storage and supply challenges. He urged the Centre to take immediate steps to resolve various issues, emphasizing the need for transparency and fair allocation of resources.
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The minister stressed the necessity of installing telemetry systems to monitor Krishna water usage, arguing that real-time tracking would ensure proper distribution. He also sought ₹4,000 crore for developing the trunk and sewerage network along the Musi River, drawing parallels with the Ganga and Yamuna restoration projects. Additionally, he requested ₹6,000 crore for diverting Godavari waters to Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs.
Uttam Kumar Reddy called for an expedited decision from the Krishna Water Tribunal, asserting that Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna waters must be safeguarded. He further demanded faster water allocations for the Palamuru-Rangareddy, Sitarama Sagar, and Sammakka-Sarakka projects, along with low-interest loans for ongoing irrigation projects.
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Highlighting the importance of desilting, he urged the Centre to fully fund desilting operations across all irrigation projects in the state. He also sought the immediate release of the NDSA inquiry report on the Medigadda barrage.
Reiterating Telangana’s long-pending concerns, Uttam Kumar Reddy insisted that the central government take proactive measures to ensure justice in water sharing and the smooth execution of critical irrigation projects.