Jagan urges CM Chandrababu to safeguard AP’s Krishna River water rights

YSR Congress Party chief and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has written a detailed nine-page public letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging him to protect the state’s interests in the distribution of Krishna River water. The letter comes ahead of crucial hearings at the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II, emphasizing that Andhra Pradesh must approach the issue with determination.

Jagan expressed concern over Telangana’s significant water demands from the Krishna River. Telangana is seeking allocation of 763 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, and Jagan warned that if the tribunal approves this request, it would be an injustice to Andhra Pradesh. According to the Bachawat Tribunal, the net allocation for united Andhra Pradesh was 512 TMC out of 811 TMC. “If even a single TMC is reduced from this allocation, the responsibility rests entirely with the TDP government,” Jagan stated.

In his letter, Jagan cited key historical developments, criticizing Chandrababu Naidu. He highlighted that in 1996, when Chandrababu was Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka began raising the Almatti Dam. Despite protests from farmers and opposition parties, Chandrababu allegedly did not intervene. As a result, the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal allowed Karnataka to increase the dam’s height. Jagan noted that Karnataka is now actively seeking further height increases and land acquisition.

He also criticized the TDP government for compromising Andhra Pradesh’s water rights during 2014, particularly for political gains, including the “note-for-votes” controversy, and remaining silent while Telangana benefitted from projects such as Pulichintala and Nagarjunasagar right canal. Jagan accused the TDP of neglecting Rayalaseema projects like Handri-Neeva, Galeru-Nagari, Veligonda, and Telugu Ganga, leaving the state’s arguments weak before the tribunal.

Jagan warned that there is a widespread perception that the state government may concede on water rights. He urged Chandrababu Naidu’s government to act decisively, present strong arguments before the tribunal, and ensure Andhra Pradesh’s rights to Krishna water are fully protected to meet the state’s drinking and irrigation needs, including those in Rayalaseema.