Revanth Reddy open to dialogue with Andhra on Banakacharla project

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has expressed readiness to hold talks with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart N. Chandrababu Naidu to resolve the dispute over the proposed Banakacharla project.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Revanth emphasized that inter-state water issues should be addressed through cooperation, not confrontation.

Banakacharla project controversy

The Banakacharla project, proposed by Andhra Pradesh to divert surplus Godavari water to drought-prone areas, has drawn strong objections from Telangana. The Telangana government claims it violates both the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980 and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Revanth criticized the Centre for approving the project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) without consulting Telangana, calling for a more balanced approach.

In a meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Revanth, along with Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, urged the Centre to reject the PFR and proposed an alternative: linking Ichchampally and Nagarjunasagar to divert Godavari water to the Penna basin with Central assistance.

He also requested Andhra Pradesh’s No Objection Certificate (NOC) to utilize 1,000 TMC of Godavari and 500 TMC of Krishna water, assuring Telangana would not oppose Andhra’s projects if its own allocations are honored.

Amid rising political tensions, the Telangana government has lodged formal objections with the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) and the Central Water Commission (CWC), warning of legal action if the Centre fails to intervene. Revanth also plans to bring a resolution in the Assembly opposing the project.

Meanwhile, BRS leader T. Harish Rao accused Revanth of compromising Telangana’s interests, but Revanth pointed out that the original plan to divert Godavari water dates back to 2016 under former CM K. Chandrashekhar Rao. The Telangana Cabinet will meet on June 23 to deliberate on the issue, with hopes for a negotiated settlement.