Telangana opposes AP’s plan to extract water from Polavaram dead storage

Says move undermines the integrity of water distribution agreements and in violation of CWC approval granted to the Polavaram project under 2008 Technical Advisory Committee guidelines

Hyderabad: State Irrigation officials on Saturday raised serious concern over the alleged attempts by Andhra Pradesh government to lift water from the dead storage of the Polavaram reservoir. Telangana Engineer-in-Chief (General) Anil Kumar, in a communication addressed to the Polavaram Project Authority, made it clear that such an action would be unauthorised and violates the established regulations.

Recent reports in the media suggest that the Government of AP was planning to draw water from a depth of 35 metres within the Polavaram reservoir, citing government order No. 134 dated April 19, 2021. However, Telangana authorities have strongly objected to this move, stating that any such extraction from dead storage would undermine the integrity of water distribution agreements and it will be in violation of Central Water Commission (CWC) approval granted to the Polavaram Project under the 2008 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) guidelines.

Officials from Telangana have reiterated their objections to the unauthorised scheme, emphasising that lifting water from dead storage would not be permissible.

In an earlier interstate meeting held under the aegis of the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) on August 6, 2024, Andhra Pradesh officials had informed stakeholders that the works on the lift were halted. However, fresh media reports indicate renewed attempts to proceed with water lifting plans despite previous assurances.

Telangana authorities have urged the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) and GRMB to intervene and ensure that AP refrained from executing this proposal. Officials stressed that any unilateral action in this regard would disrupt water-sharing agreements and set a dangerous precedent for interstate water management.

“The extraction of water from dead storage is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately. We request prompt action to prevent unauthorized withdrawals that could affect Telangana’s rightful share of water resources,” said Anil Kumar in an official statement.