`2,000 TMC of Godavari water flows unused into sea’: CM Naidu seeks to work together with Telangana to save water

Srisailam: Offering an olive branch to Telangana, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called on the neighboring state to work together and utilize the river water that flows unused into the sea.

He said such cooperation would benefit farmers in both states.

Dam gates opened amid heavy inflows

Naidu was addressing a meeting of water consumers after opening four crest gates of the Srisailam dam across the Krishna River. The dam, located on the Andhra Pradesh–Telangana border, has received heavy inflows from upstream Karnataka and Maharashtra.

“For the first time, Srisailam dam has become full in the first week of July, which is a positive sign for farmers,” he said. The water level was reported at 881.6 feet, just short of its full reservoir level (FRL) of 885 feet.

The dam was holding around 200 TMC of water, close to its gross storage capacity of 215.81 TMC, and was receiving over 1.53 lakh cusecs of inflow, mainly from the Jurala project in Telangana and the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka.

Project controversy with Telangana

Naidu’s comments come amid the ongoing controversy over the Godavari-Banakacherla project, which is being opposed by Telangana.

The project aims to divert 200 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of Godavari floodwaters to irrigate 7.41 lakh acres, stabilize 22.58 lakh acres in Rayalaseema and south coastal districts, and supply water for industrial use.

The Central Environmental Expert Committee (EAC) recently refused to grant environmental clearance to the project after Telangana raised objections. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy have written to the Centre, urging it not to approve the project.

‘Project will not harm Telangana’

CM Naidu maintains that the proposed project poses no harm to Telangana’s interests. He pointed out that nearly 2,000 TMC of Godavari water is flowing unused into the sea every year and said its utilisation would benefit both states.

Krishna River is Lifeline

Performing the traditional Jala Harathi ritual to honor the river goddess, Naidu described the Krishna River as the lifeline of both Telugu states. He expressed confidence that with the release of water from Srisailam, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in Telangana would also receive sufficient inflows to support irrigation and drinking water needs.

Focus on Rayalaseema development

Reiterating his commitment to transforming Rayalaseema into ‘Ratanala Seema’ (land of jewels), Naidu said irrigation projects are modern temples and assured that his government is working to complete all pending projects to improve farmers’ lives.