No compromise on water rights: CM Revanth

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made it clear in the State Assembly that there will be no compromise on Telangana’s interests, especially its water rights. Replying to a short-duration discussion titled “Water and Facts”, the Chief Minister presented data to highlight what he described as serious mistakes made by previous governments and assured the House that protecting Telangana’s future is his top priority.

Revanth Reddy said he considers his role as Chief Minister a responsibility given by God and promised that as long as he holds office, he will not take even a small decision that harms Telangana. He stressed that people must know the truth, not misinformation, and that his only aim is the welfare of Telangana’s citizens.

Explaining the water-sharing issue, the Chief Minister said that during the undivided Andhra Pradesh era, Telangana was allowed to use 490 TMC of Krishna water through 24 projects. He pointed out that 71 percent of the Krishna basin lies within Telangana, and as per international water-sharing principles, the state should receive 555 TMC. If total water availability of 1005 TMC is considered (as per tribunal norms), Telangana’s rightful share would be 763 TMC, he explained.

He accused the previous government of accepting only 299 TMC and signing an agreement to stick to this figure until the Krishna Water Tribunal gives its final verdict. According to him, Andhra Pradesh later used this concession to its advantage, causing losses to Telangana.

The Chief Minister alleged that between 2005 and 2014 several projects were taken up in the Krishna basin, but after state formation, the leadership that ruled Telangana for a decade failed to safeguard the state’s water interests. He went to the extent of saying that former CM KCR had “written a death sentence for Telangana” through poor decisions on water sharing.

On the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Revanth Reddy said the government is firm that 45 TMC in the first phase and another 45 TMC in the second phase must be approved. Otherwise, he warned, the state would be forced to draw water directly from Jurala.

He criticized the earlier decision to shift the water source from Jurala to Srisailam, stating that this increased the number of lifts and pumps unnecessarily, escalated costs, and made the project inefficient. He pointed out that despite the change, affidavits were filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court stating that it was only a drinking water project of 7.15 TMC, not an irrigation project.

He also highlighted financial irregularities, alleging that although the project started with an estimate of ₹32,200 crore, costs were later inflated to ₹55,800 crore and could even cross ₹1 lakh crore. Despite not even preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) until 2022, around ₹20,000 crore was paid to contractors over seven years, he said.

Revanth Reddy dismissed claims that the Pranahita-Chevella project was pursued as a national project, stating that the previous government itself wrote to the Centre saying it would complete it with state funds. He also said that as early as 2016, the foundation for the Godavari-Banakacherla link was laid, and the then CM officially stated that surplus Godavari waters were available - an admission that weakened Telangana’s position later.

Speaking emotionally in the Assembly, the Chief Minister reiterated that Telangana comes first - before party and before leaders. He said the government is determined to complete the Palamuru-Rangareddy project in two phases and has already requested the Prime Minister to grant approval for the first phase.

Concluding his speech, Revanth Reddy said the government is fighting relentlessly for Telangana’s water rights and will stand firm against any obstruction. “We are fighting like soldiers for our rightful share of water,” he declared, adding that there will be no retreat when it comes to Telangana’s interests.