Andhra Pradesh Has Full Rights Over Godavari Waters

The Association of Retired Engineering Officials of the State Water Resources Department has stated that Andhra Pradesh has complete rights to utilize floodwaters from the Godavari River and construct projects based on surplus flows. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, association leaders M. Visweswara Rao and Narasimha Murthy said that the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) had clearly ruled that Andhra Pradesh, being the downstream state, has full rights over waters flowing downstream after allocations are made to upstream states.

The retired engineers asserted that the proposed Godavari, Banakacherla Link Project can be developed using 75% dependable surplus waters of the Godavari River and that neither the Central Government nor upstream states have the authority to object. They noted that tribunal orders issued on August 4, 1978, August 7, 1978, and December 15, 1978 clearly protect Andhra Pradesh’s rights over downstream flows. According to the association, the project would help address irrigation and drinking water needs in the drought prone districts of Kurnool, Kadapa, and Prakasam, while strengthening economic stability across Rayalaseema and coastal regions.