The unresolved water disputes between two Telugu states, even after 11 years of bifurcation giving scope to suspect that Narendra Modi-led Central government instead of attempting to facilitate an amicable resolution of issues, attempting to ignite widening of differences so as to derive political advantage.

The Center’s attitude towards the Godavari- Banakacharla project is raising many such suspensions. The project was proposed by the coalition government of AP, in which BJP is also a partner. But, though it is in the opposition, Telangana BJP is bringing pressure against this project. 

The central government’s environment department had sent back the Banakacharla proposals and advised the state to resolve the water disputes related to the project in the CWC.

The fact is that the AP government has already urged CWC to resolve their share of Godavari water, but it is keeping silent for the last more than two months.  Interestingly, along with the environment department, the CWC is also under the purview of the central government. 

While the Centre, which is supposed to resolve the issue, remained silent, the Environment Department further complicated the water dispute by mentioning many issues such as water allocation and objections from neighboring states.

Ironically, Chandrababu Naidu-led state government is keeping silent even though the Centre’s stance is becoming clear in this context. The AP government wrote a letter in the first week of May this year to provide clarity on the distribution of the net waters of Godavari as per the AP Reorganization Act guarantee. 

Later, I wrote another letter on the 22nd. According to the AP Reorganisation Act, the responsibility of determining AP’s share in the Godavari waters lies with the Centre, and the CWC also asked for a report on this. 

“Even after 11 years of the bifurcation of the state, the net waters of Godavari have not been distributed. We are the last state to have the rights to utilize flood waters. Presently, 3000 TMC is flowing into the sea from Godavari. We can use them for our needs,” the letter said.

“After the bifurcation of the state in 2014, all kinds of problems including water disputes between the two states should be discussed and resolved mutually. After 11 years, all the problems will go into the hands of the center. From then on, the center has to resolve the disputes,” it added.

Responding to this letter, the CWC said that it had written letters seeking the opinion of the ENCs of the upper states on the letter sent by Andhra Pradesh. It said that if the opinions are received from the states, they will be compiled and a distribution proposal will be made based on the CWC technical report. 

However, it is reported that there has been little action in that direction. At the same time, the Environment Department has turned down Banakacharla’s proposal citing various issues.