Hyderabad: Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao on Wednesday demanded that the state govt oppose the ongoing irrigation projects on the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka and formally register its objections with the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and the ministry of jal shakti. He also urged the govt to ensure strict implementation of all conditions and safeguards laid down under the Bachwat tribunal award.In a letter to chief minister A Revanth Reddy, Harish asked the govt not to compromise Telangana’s rights over Tungabhadra River water. He sought the chief minister’s intervention to protect the state’s rightful share of the river water and prevent Karnataka from proceeding with “illegal projects” that could severely impact irrigation and drinking water needs.“The state govt should approach the Supreme Court, if necessary, to challenge Karnataka’s projects and protect Telangana’s rights. It should also clarify that Telangana’s water interests have not been compromised in exchange for approvals related to the proposed Kodangal Lift Irrigation Scheme,” the former irrigation minister said in his open letter to CM.The BRS leader stated that one of the greatest injustices suffered by Telangana during the united Andhra Pradesh was the denial of its legitimate share of Krishna and Godavari river water. He said the Telangana movement was driven, in part, by the need to secure water rights and that, after statehood, the BRS govt successfully redirected river waters to drought-prone regions, transforming districts such as Palamuru through large-scale irrigation projects.Harish alleged that since coming to power, the Congress govt has failed to safeguard Telangana’s water interests and has instead adopted policies that compromise the state’s rights for political considerations. He accused the govt of remaining silent while Karnataka proceeds with projects on the Tungabhadra River that could adversely affect Telangana. Questioning the state govt’s stand, Harish asked whether Telangana had indirectly consented to Karnataka’s proposed Kurdi Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Chikkalaparvi and Chikkalamanchi bridge-cum-barrages. He sought clarification on whether the approval granted by Karnataka for the Kodangal Lift Irrigation Scheme had come at the cost of Telangana’s long-term water interests.He warned that the projects being taken up by Karnataka upstream of the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) would significantly reduce water flows into Telangana. He said that if these projects are completed, irrigation benefits under RDS would be severely affected, putting thousands of farmers at risk. “Why has the Telangana govt failed to officially object to Karnataka’s activities despite the projects allegedly proceeding without mandatory approvals from the CWC, KRMB and Telangana and AP govts,” he said.He further alleged that Karnataka was already utilising water far beyond its allocated share under the RDS system and cautioned that the new projects could further diminish Telangana’s rightful allocation. Harish said the BRS would continue its fight to safeguard Telangana’s water rights, protect the interests of farmers and oppose any attempt to compromise the state’s long-term interests.
