The management of major inter-state reservoirs has once again come under scrutiny following reports that nearly four TMCs of water are being released every day for power generation from the left-bank powerhouse at Srisailam. The situation, described as continuing without obstruction, has triggered serious concerns over Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation security and long-term water availability.
Water experts and policy observers note that such large-scale drawals, when undertaken without coordinated regulation, can significantly affect downstream irrigation projects and drinking water reserves, particularly during periods of uncertainty in monsoon inflows.
Left-Bank Powerhouses and Control Imbalance
Both Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar are classified as left-bank powerhouses, with operational control not resting with Andhra Pradesh. This administrative imbalance has long been a point of contention, as decisions taken at these facilities directly impact water availability for farmers and urban consumers downstream in Andhra Pradesh.
The continued utilisation of water primarily for power generation, without parallel safeguards for irrigation and drinking water priorities, has intensified concerns about federal fairness and cooperative reservoir management.
Impact on Farmers and Irrigation Security
The release of nearly four TMCs per day translates into substantial cumulative losses for irrigation-dependent regions. Farmers in Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra depend heavily on regulated releases from major reservoirs to sustain crops, particularly during critical sowing and growth periods.
YSRCP leaders have repeatedly highlighted that water is not merely a resource for electricity generation but a lifeline for agriculture, rural livelihoods, and food security. Any imbalance in its use, they argue, directly affects farmers who already face rising input costs and climate uncertainties.
YSRCP’s Stand on Equitable Water Sharing
Under the leadership of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the YSRCP government consistently maintained that river water management must be guided by principles of equity, transparency, and public welfare. The party has taken a firm stand that Andhra Pradesh’s legitimate share of river waters must not be compromised through unilateral operational decisions.
During YSRCP governance, emphasis was placed on strengthening irrigation infrastructure, completing pending projects, and ensuring that water reaches the tail-end farmer—objectives that require predictable and fairly managed reservoir releases.
Call for Accountability and Cooperative Federalism
The current situation has renewed calls for stronger institutional mechanisms to oversee inter-state reservoirs like Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar. Policy experts argue that without joint regulation and real-time transparency, unilateral water releases for power generation risk undermining trust between states.
YSRCP leaders have stressed that cooperative federalism must move beyond rhetoric and be reflected in actual reservoir operations that respect downstream needs and constitutional water-sharing principles.
Water Governance as a Public Welfare Issue
For Andhra Pradesh, water governance is inseparable from public welfare. Drinking water schemes, irrigation projects, and rural livelihoods all depend on disciplined reservoir management. The YSRCP’s welfare-centric governance model views water as a social asset, not merely a commercial input.
As discussions continue, the party reiterates the need for immediate corrective measures to ensure that power generation does not come at the cost of farmers’ rights and the state’s long-term water security.
