Political clash over Almatti dam height controversy

The debate over the Almatti Dam height has intensified, with political parties in Telangana clashing over the potential impact on the state. The Karnataka government recently decided to raise the dam’s height from 519.6 meters to 524.25 meters, a move strongly opposed by Telangana. The state warns that this could severely affect farmers, especially in southern districts, and disrupt irrigation projects like Kodangal Lift Irrigation and Palamuru-Rangareddy.

Telangana’s Water Resources Minister, Uttam Kumar Reddy, has made it clear that the state will take all measures to prevent the height increase, including filing a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. “Raising the Almatti Dam height will cause significant damage to Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, and Rangareddy districts,” he said, citing past instances where the Supreme Court had issued stay orders to halt similar attempts.

The BRS party, led by former minister K. T. Rama Rao, has heavily criticized the Telangana Congress government, accusing it of failing to protect farmers. KTR claims that raising the dam height would turn southern Telangana into a desert and makes the Srisailam Dam ineffective. He further suggested that Congress’s presence in Karnataka allows the state government to oppose Karnataka’s move weakly, labeling the situation as a “Congress-BJP joint venture” that has misled the public for over a decade. BRS is reportedly using this issue to stir public sentiment and gain political grip.

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao also condemned the Congress government for failing to safeguard Telangana’s water rights. Meanwhile, farmers’ associations have expressed concerns that the height increase could also negatively impact their irrigation projects. Karnataka defends its plan, claiming that raising the dam height would enhance its irrigation projects, with an estimated investment of ₹70,000 crore. Telangana, however, argues that the move violates the 2002 Bachawat Tribunal decision.

The Almatti Dam issue is not new. Since the 1990s, disputes over water sharing have persisted between Karnataka and Telangana (previously part of Andhra Pradesh). The 2002 Bachawat Tribunal limited the dam height to 519.6 meters. Past attempts to raise were blocked by the Supreme Court. With Congress now in power in both states, the political situation has become more complex.

If the Supreme Court issues a stay on the height increase, Telangana could breathe a sigh of relief. However, if Karnataka pushes ahead aggressively, tensions between the states could rise. Meanwhile, BRS may continue to use the issue to gain public support in Telangana. How Congress responds to these accusations and whether it can prevent Karnataka from raising the dam height will be closely watched in the coming months.