Godavari-Cauvery link project turning into controversy as BRS senses major conspiracy

The Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Cauvery link project proposed by the Central Government is turning out to be a political controversy with the main Opposition Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) sensing a major conspiracy behind the plan.

The issue figured in the recent Southern Zonal Council meeting wherein Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chadrababu Naidu termed the project as a south India link, envisaging water from Godavari (Polavaram) to Krishna, from Krishna to Banakacherla and from Banakacherla to Cauvery. If this link was established, there would be flexibility for all the four States, he said.

Mr. Naidu reportedly addressed a letter to the Central Government to suggest the Godavari–Cauvery link from Polavaram.

He wanted the issue to be included in the agenda of the next meeting of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) and the agenda of the NWDA meeting on November 3 was drafted on the basis of the letter.

BRS senior leader T. Harish Rao, however, alleged that the plan was yet another attempt by the Andhra Pradesh government against the interests of Telangana. Mr. Naidu had been trying one route after another to take away Godavari water. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister initially brought up Polavaram–Banakacherla to take 200 tmc ft water, which was renamed as Nallamalasagar subsequently.

Mr. Naidu had convinced the Centre and was clearing the way to Banakacherla in the name of the Godavari–Cauvery link. It was his third proposal to carry water directly from Polavaram through Bollapalli, Nagarjunasagar and Somasila to Cauvery, Mr. Harish Rao said.

He appealed to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to stop the injustice being scripted against Telangana in the name of Godavari-Cauvery link and if allowed to go ahead, it would be a death warrant for Telangana’s water rights.

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said at the southern zonal council meeting that the State was not against river linking in principle, but it should not be at the cost of its benefits. Though water is available in Godavari, the State had still to tap the water as per its share.

He said instead of 43 TMC of water proposed to be utilised for the State, Telangana had proposed 74 TMC of water from the water passing through it — through the diverted Godavari-Cauvery link waters — and also 200 TMC of Godavari flood waters for irrigation and drinking water, while protecting existing approved projects.

The State Irrigation department explained that several meetings were held on the issue and an in-principle approval for the source — for Godavari-Cauvery link — to be at Icchampally/Sammakka Sagar Project had been given.

Union Jal Shakti department explained at the meeting that alternative studies to divert surplus water available in Godavari basin and unutilized waters in Indravati sub-basin of Godavari basin through Godavari-Cauvery link project were carried out by the NWDA. The Godavari (Inchampalli)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link comprises three links Godavari (Inchampalli)-Krishna (Nagarjunasagar) link, Krishna (Nagarjunasagar)–Pennar (Somasila) link and Pennar (Somasila)-Cauvery (Grand Anicut) link.