Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar project: Ahead of SC hearing, CM Revanth meets Abhishek Manu Singhvi to prepare foolproof arguments

Mumbai: Ahead of a crucial hearing in the Supreme Court, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday held high-level discussions with senior legal experts in Mumbai to strengthen the state’s case against Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar (Banakacherla link) project on the Godavari river.

The Telangana government has already moved the Supreme Court of India by filing a writ petition challenging the project, which it alleges violates statutory approvals and interstate water-sharing norms.

Meeting with Senior Supreme Court Counsel

Following the filing of the petition, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy met senior Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Mumbai.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister instructed the legal team to place strong and effective arguments before the apex court. He also directed senior irrigation officials to provide all necessary documents, technical details, and supporting evidence to aid the legal battle.

Objection to Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Link

In its writ petition, the Telangana government has sought directions to immediately halt expansion and linking works being undertaken by the Andhra Pradesh government to connect the Polavaram project with Banakacherla/Nallamala Sagar, alleging that these works are being carried out without mandatory statutory permissions.

The State has urged the Supreme Court to direct the Polavaram Project Authority to stop all such activities forthwith.

Deviation from approved project plan

Telangana has contended before the court that the Polavaram project must be executed strictly in accordance with the original approvals. Any expansion or alteration beyond the sanctioned scope, the petition argues, is illegal and detrimental to Telangana’s water interests.

The petition also objects to the Centre’s review of pre-feasibility reports related to the Nallamala Sagar project without duly considering Telangana’s formal objections.

Requests to Central Agencies

The State government has sought clear directions from the Supreme Court to key central agencies, including the Central Water Commission, the Union Ministry of Water Resources, and the Godavari River Water Management Board, to ensure that no approvals are processed in violation of established guidelines.

Challenge to DPR and Environmental Clearances

According to the petition, the Andhra Pradesh government is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in violation of Central Water Commission norms. Telangana has requested the court to restrain such actions and to halt the grant of environmental clearances for the proposed expansion works.

The State has also urged the Supreme Court to direct the Union government to withhold any financial assistance for the disputed projects until all legal and statutory issues are resolved.

The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing before the Supreme Court on Monday, with the Telangana government expected to press for interim relief to prevent further progress on the contested project.