The longstanding inter-State dispute between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the sharing and utilisation of Godavari river waters is escalating into a major legal confrontation. Telangana has indicated that it is preparing to approach the Supreme Court to challenge Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Link Project (PNLP), citing concerns related to legal compliance, water allocation principles, and potential impacts on its territory.
Overview of the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Link Project
The PNLP is a large-scale water transfer initiative proposed by Andhra Pradesh, with an estimated cost of ₹58,000 crore. The project aims to divert what the State describes as surplus Godavari floodwaters from the under-construction Polavaram Dam to the Nallamala Sagar reservoir in Prakasam district. The scheme forms part of the broader Poola Subbaiah Veligonda Project and replaces the earlier Polavaram–Banakacherla Link, which was shelved following objections.
The redesigned plan involves lifting water through multiple segments using canals, pumping stations, and reservoirs to facilitate inter-basin transfer from the Godavari to the Krishna basin. Andhra Pradesh has initiated steps to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and has indicated that the project will be implemented in phases.
Telangana’s Legal and Regulatory Concerns
Telangana has expressed the view that the PNLP is effectively a restructured version of the previously opposed diversion scheme. The State argues that the project raises concerns under several legal and institutional frameworks, including the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award, and existing inter-State agreements governing water sharing.
Officials from Telangana have also highlighted the potential risk of submergence in parts of the State due to Polavaram backwaters. According to the State, any upstream diversion of Godavari waters could affect its proportionate share and impact ongoing and planned irrigation and drinking water projects.
Institutional Approvals and Procedural Issues
Telangana maintains that the PNLP requires mandatory approvals from statutory bodies such as the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), the Central Water Commission (CWC), and the Apex Council overseeing inter-State river management. The State has stated that these clearances have not yet been obtained, making the project procedurally incomplete.
In preparation for legal action, Telangana has held high-level meetings in New Delhi involving legal experts. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been consulted, and discussions have been held with officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the CWC to formally record the State’s objections.
Andhra Pradesh’s Position on Water Utilisation
Andhra Pradesh has defended the PNLP, stating that the project is designed to utilise only floodwaters for water security in drought-prone and arid regions. The State argues that the diversion would not infringe upon the allocated shares of other riparian States and is necessary to meet growing demands for irrigation and drinking water.
By issuing tenders for the DPR, Andhra Pradesh has signalled its intention to proceed with the project while addressing regulatory requirements as the implementation advances.
Roots of the Dispute and Broader Implications
The dispute over Godavari waters has its origins in the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in 2014, which led to renewed debates over water-sharing arrangements. Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh claim rights over utilised and unutilised river flows, with increasing demand driven by agriculture, urbanisation, and climate variability.
Telangana has consistently maintained that the GWDT award does not clearly define “surplus” or “flood” waters and that water appraisals should be based on 75 percent dependability. Andhra Pradesh, on the other hand, asserts that surplus flows can be harnessed without affecting downstream or upstream rights.
Awaiting Judicial Intervention
While no formal petition has been filed yet, preparations on both sides indicate that the matter is likely to reach the Supreme Court in the near future. Legal experts note that the case could have far-reaching implications for inter-State water governance and future river-linking proposals.
Conclusion
As Telangana and Andhra Pradesh prepare for a possible legal showdown, the Godavari water dispute underscores the complexity of inter-State river management in India. The resolution of the PNLP issue will depend on judicial interpretation, institutional coordination, and adherence to established water-sharing principles.
