Palamuru project delay benefits AP, Telangana faces water shortfall

The delay in completing the Palamuru and Rangareddy irrigation projects in Telangana has significantly affected the state’s water availability, with the opposition claiming the Congress government neglected these projects after coming to power.

According to the BRS, once in office, the Congress government canceled tenders for these canals, stalled construction for nearly two years, and did not release the ₹10 crore needed for inspections. If completed, these projects could have provided Telangana with an additional 40-50 TMC of water beyond the normal quota. Instead, the stalled works have prevented the state from fully utilizing its allocated water, while neighboring Andhra Pradesh continues to consume more than its share.

This year, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were supposed to share Krishna Basin water from Srisailam in a 34:66 ratio, with Telangana allocated 332 TMC and Andhra Pradesh 690 TMC. However, AP has already used 630 TMC (82% of its quota), whereas Telangana has utilized only 120 TMC (18%). The remaining 212 TMC, which Telangana did not use due to project delays, effectively reduced the water available to the state.

Of the water Telangana drew from Srisailam this year, only 14 TMC reached the state, while Andhra Pradesh diverted 200 TMC through the Pothireddipadu canal and received an additional 40 TMC via the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project. In total, 240 TMC of Krishna water intended for Telangana flowed into AP’s Penna Basin. BRS argues that if Palamuru-Rangareddy projects were completed, Telangana could have secured its water without such diversions.

Instead of prioritizing the Palamuru project, the Congress government focused on the Narayanapet-Kodangal lift project, which did not receive any fresh water allocation from Srisailam. For the Bhima project’s 20 TMC allocation, 7.33 TMC was cut, and 7.11 TMC was redirected to Narayanapet-Kodangal - essentially burdening Telangana with existing project allocations rather than providing additional water.

Delays in Telangana’s irrigation projects and the decisions by the Congress government have reduced the state’s water share while giving Andhra Pradesh an advantage. The Palamuru project’s completion is now critical for Telangana to fully utilize its allocated water and ensure long-term water security.