Telangana to push for full control of Nagarjuna Sagar Project with withdrawal of CRPF on cards

Withdrawal could be either partly or fully as it is a need-based measure and linked to strategic redeployment due to border tensions or other operational priorities

Hyderabad: Telangana is all set to push for full control of the security and surveillance of the Nagarjuna Sagar Project as withdrawal of the CRPF from the project is reportedly under active consideration.

The withdrawal to be effected could be either partly or fully as it is totally a need-based measure and linked to strategic redeployment due to border tensions or other operational priorities.

Rising tensions between India and Pakistan in the recent weeks led to the redeployment of over 5,000 CRPF personnel, including elite CoBRA units, to strengthen security along the Indo-Pak border, affecting operations like Operation Kagar near the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. According to officials, CRPF forces from the Telangana side of the dam were reportedly withdrawn partly.

The CRPF has been tasked with overseeing the dam’s security since November 2023, following clashes between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh police forces. Security responsibilities are split, with the 234th CRPF Battalion from Visakhapatnam managing gates 14-26 (Andhra Pradesh side) and a Mulugu-based battalion covering gates 1-13 on the Telangana side.

The Visakhapatnam battalion took over security for the entire dam last month. Officials said that the CRPF personnel from Mulugu battalion were withdrawn and the CRPF personnel from the Visakhapatnam battalion were split into two wings and they were given the responsibility of both the AP and Telangana-end.

The CRPF deployment was necessitated primarily due to an ugly confrontation on November 29, 2023 between the two Telugu States, when approximately 500 armed Andhra Pradesh police personnel entered the dam, damaged CCTV cameras and released water unilaterally, prompting accusations of trespass and disruption from Telangana.

This incident occurred during Telangana’s Assembly elections adding to law and order concerns. The union Home Secretary intervened to defuse tensions, and on December 1, 2023, union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla proposed during a video conference with officials from both States that the dam’s security be handed over to the CRPF to restore the status quo as of November 28, 2023, and ensure water distribution per existing agreements.

Telangana has consistently maintained that the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is under its jurisdiction as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, and has demanded full operational control, especially after incidents of alleged water diversion by Andhra Pradesh.