NewKerala.com

Andhra Minister Ramanaidu Directs Legal Team for Strong SC Defense on Polavaram

Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has directed the state's legal team to present robust arguments in the Supreme Court defending the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link project. The hearing comes after Telangana filed a petition challenging the project, which aims to utilize 200 TMC of surplus Godavari water currently flowing into the sea. Ramanaidu argues the project is within Andhra's rights as a downstream state under the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award and is essential for making the Rayalaseema region fertile. Meanwhile, Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has firmly stated his government will never agree to the project, calling it a violation of interstate regulations.

Key Points: Andhra Legal Team Preps for SC Hearing on Polavaram-Nallamala Project

  • SC hearing on Jan 12
  • Telangana challenges project
  • Utilizing waste water for Rayalaseema
  • Based on GWDT award rights
  • Project awaits final permissions
2 min read

Andhra Minister asks legal team to present strong arguments in SC over irrigation project

Andhra Water Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu orders strong arguments in Supreme Court as Telangana challenges the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link project.

"What was wrong with utilising 200 TMC of water from the Godavari river that flows downstream and goes to waste into the sea? - Nimmala Ramanaidu"

Amaravati, Jan 11

With Telangana's petition challenging the proposed Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link project scheduled to come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on January 12, Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu on Sunday directed the legal team to present strong arguments in support of the project.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi is arguing the case on behalf of Andhra Pradesh in the Supreme Court.

During a video conference, the minister ordered the senior irrigation officials to provide all the records related to this case to the legal team.

Irrigation Special Secretary Sai Prasad, Advisor Venkateswara Rao, Engineer-In-Chief Narasimha Murthy, lawyers, and senior officials from the Inter-State Irrigation department participated in the video conference.

According to an official statement, the minister asked what was wrong with utilising 200 TMC of water from the Godavari river that flows downstream and goes to waste into the sea.

He said it was regrettable that while extending a hand of friendship, Telangana is going to court in a way that would cause injustice to Andhra Pradesh.

He said that this project was proposed to utilise only 200 TMC of water out of the 3000 TMC of Godavari water that goes to waste into the sea every year.

He argued that according to the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) award, Andhra Pradesh has the right to utilise the surplus water. Since Andhra Pradesh is a downstream state in the Godavari basin, he said that it can utilise the surplus floodwaters without infringing on the rights of other states.

Ramanaidu stated that the objective of this project is to divert the water that is currently flowing waste into the sea to the Rayalaseema and make that region fertile.

He said that they have submitted the project feasibility report to the Central government and are making changes based on their suggestions.

He clarified that the tenders related to the DPR (Detailed Project Report) are merely preliminary preparatory measures. He stated that the project will be undertaken only after obtaining all the necessary legal permissions.

Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy had categorically stated last week that the Telangana government will never agree to the construction of the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar link project by the Andhra Pradesh government.

He claimed that the Andhra Pradesh government's proposals are a clear violation of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal 1980 award and interstate water regulations.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
R
Rohit P
This is a classic interstate water dispute. Both sides have valid points, but wasting 3000 TMC to the sea every year is criminal when farmers are struggling. The central government needs to mediate properly and find a solution that benefits both states.
N
Nisha Z
While I support development, the minister's statement about "extending a hand of friendship" feels a bit one-sided. If Telangana is going to court, they must have genuine concerns about their water rights. Both states should sit down before the hearing.
D
David E
Interesting case. The argument about utilizing only 200 TMC out of 3000 TMC that goes waste seems logical from a resource management perspective. The Supreme Court's interpretation of the 1980 tribunal award will be key.
K
Karthik V
Water wars between Telugu states again... 😓 We were one state not long ago. Politics over water is hurting the common people in both regions. Hope cooler heads prevail for the sake of farmers in Rayalaseema.
P
Priyanka N
Good to see they have engaged Mukul Rohatgi. We need top legal minds for such complex interstate issues. The point about it being a downstream state and using surplus floodwater is technically sound as per the GWDT.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50