Telangana Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy Strongly Rejects BRS Allegations on Water Rights Compromise
In a forceful rebuttal to allegations made by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy categorically denied on Friday that the Congress government has compromised the state's water rights during inter-state negotiations. The minister addressed a press conference in Hyderabad, where he presented what he described as conclusive evidence to counter the opposition's claims.
Central Water Commission Clarification on Nallamala Sagar Project
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy revealed that the Central Water Commission (CWC) has provided categorical clarification that the central government has not granted any clearances to Andhra Pradesh's proposed Nallamala Sagar link project. This statement directly contradicts the BRS's allegations that the current administration has weakened Telangana's position in water-sharing discussions.
"The CWC has made it absolutely clear that no approvals have been given for the Nallamala Sagar project," Uttam stated emphatically. "These allegations by the BRS are nothing but baseless propaganda and a repetition of old falsehoods designed to mislead the public."
Historical Betrayal Allegations Against Previous BRS Government
The minister launched a scathing attack on the previous BRS government, led by former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao. He accused them of what he termed a "historic betrayal" of Telangana's farming community through their handling of water distribution agreements.
Uttam Kumar Reddy presented specific details about what he described as an inequitable water-sharing agreement accepted by the BRS government:
- Acceptance of only 299 tmc ft in a 66:34 division of 811 tmc ft of Krishna waters after state bifurcation
- Direct participation of former irrigation minister Harish Rao in Union Jal Shakti ministry meetings that finalized what Uttam called a "shameful legacy"
- Expenditure of nearly ₹1.8 lakh crore on incomplete irrigation projects including the Palamuru–Rangareddy lift irrigation scheme and Sita Rama project
- Failure to bring even a single additional acre under assured irrigation despite massive spending
Current Government's Proactive Stance on Water Rights
In contrast to what he portrayed as the previous administration's failures, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy outlined the present government's proactive approach to securing Telangana's water rights:
- Firmly pressing for approximately 70% of Krishna waters based on Telangana's 68% catchment area
- Actively pursuing the state's claims before multiple authorities including the Krishna River Management Board
- Presenting the case before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II)
- Advancing legal arguments in the Supreme Court to protect Telangana's water interests
Medigadda Barrage Collapse: A Man-Made Disaster
Turning to Godavari river issues, the minister highlighted the catastrophic collapse of the Medigadda barrage under the Kaleshwaram project, which he described as a "man-made disaster of unprecedented scale." He cited findings from the National Dam Safety Authority's 2025 report that revealed:
- Only 165 tmc ft was pumped over five years despite massive expenditure
- Most water was lost to releases and evaporation
- Barely 65-70 tmc ft remained available for actual agricultural use
Strong Opposition to Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Project
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy reiterated Telangana's unequivocal opposition to the proposed Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar project, stating that it violates multiple legal frameworks:
- Contravenes the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014
- Violates established tribunal awards on water distribution
- Undermines Telangana's legitimate water rights
The minister confirmed that written assurances from Union Minister C.R. Patil and the CWC have established that no approvals have been granted for the project, a position that was reaffirmed during Friday's CWC meeting in Delhi. "Our government remains vigilant and committed to protecting every drop of water that rightfully belongs to Telangana," Uttam Kumar Reddy concluded, emphasizing his administration's determination to secure the state's water future.
