AP Counters Telangana’s Water Diversion Claims Before Brijesh Kumar Tribunal!

Andhra Pradesh strongly countered Telangana’s arguments on inter-basin water diversion during hearings before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal in New Delhi on Wednesday. Appearing for AP, senior advocate Jaydeep Gupta stated that while Telangana claims surplus waters are available in the Godavari basin and can be diverted, it is simultaneously obstructing projects such as Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar. He alleged that Telangana lacks a consistent policy approach and has even approached the Supreme Court seeking to halt project DPR preparation.

Gupta asserted that all projects linked to the 811 TMC allocation made to the undivided Andhra Pradesh by the Krishna Tribunal already exist. He clarified that stopping water diversion from the Krishna basin to other basins is legally impossible, as such transfers are protected under two tribunal verdicts and the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. He further argued that water diverted outside the basin must receive the same legal protection as internal basin allocations.

Highlighting national policies and past rulings, Gupta said inter-basin transfers have been upheld by the Supreme Court and permitted under the National Water Policies of 1987, 2002, and 2012, along with 2016 guidelines. He pointed out that Telangana itself diverts nearly 240 TMC of Godavari waters outside the basin through projects such as Kaleshwaram, questioning how it could object to AP’s diversion. He added that AP’s net diversion outside the basin stands at only 157 TMC, essential for drinking water security and economic stability of the Krishna delta region.