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Telangana Withdraws Polavaram Petition After Supreme Court Suggestion

The Telangana government withdrew its Supreme Court writ petition challenging Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project after the court observed the petition was "prima facie not maintainable." The bench suggested the interstate water dispute would be more appropriately resolved through a comprehensive civil suit. Telangana's Irrigation Minister stated the state would use all forums to protect its share of Godavari and Krishna river waters, alleging Andhra Pradesh is violating tribunal awards. The state argues Andhra is attempting to utilize more than its allocated water and has not implemented a central 'stop work order' on the Polavaram project.

Key Points: Telangana Withdraws Polavaram Petition in Supreme Court

  • SC termed writ petition prima facie not maintainable
  • Dispute to be adjudicated via civil suit
  • Telangana alleges Andhra violating water tribunal award
  • Andhra accused of exceeding allocated 484.5 TMC water share
2 min read

Telangana withdraws writ petition over Andhra Pradesh's Polavaram project

Telangana withdraws its writ petition against Andhra's Polavaram project after SC deems it not maintainable, will pursue civil suit.

"The writ petition was withdrawn in view of the suggestion by the Chief Justice of India to come in the form of a civil suit. - N. Uttam Kumar Reddy"

Hyderabad, Jan 12

The Telangana government on Monday withdrew its writ petition against Polavaram-Banakacherla/Nallamalasagar Link Project proposed by Andhra Pradesh after the Supreme Court termed it "prima facie not maintainable".

The apex court observed that the dispute was more appropriately adjudicated through a suit involving all affected states.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi granted liberty to Telangana to avail of any other appropriate remedies available in law, including the institution of a suit.

Telangana filed the writ petition seeking to restrain Andhra Pradesh from proceeding with preparatory and project-related activities for PBLP/PNLP.

Telangana's Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy told reporters outside the Supreme Court that the writ petition was withdrawn in view of the suggestion by the Chief Justice of India to come in the form of a civil suit.

He stated that the Congress government in Telangana would use all forums to protect the State's due share in the waters of both Godavari and Krishna rivers.

He said on behalf of Telangana, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi brought to the Supreme Court's notice all violations of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award by Andhra Pradesh.

The minister said the Supreme Court was told that Andhra Pradesh was trying to utilise more water than allocated to it. He argued that Andhra Pradesh is not entitled to use additional water.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Telangana government also brought to the Supreme Court's notice that even in the construction ofthe Polavaram project, Andhra Pradesh was committing several violations of the originally approved project.

The apex court was told that the 'stop work order' issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest was not implemented.

He said the division bench was informed that Andhra Pradesh is trying to create infrastructure to use more than 484.5 TMC allotted to it.

"They are trying to prepare DPR, though the Central Water Commission has not given permission for the DPR," he said.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Andhra Pradesh government.

During the previous hearing on January 5, the apex court had raised serious doubts over the maintainability of the petition. It had indicated that a suit under Article 131 of the Constitution would be a more comprehensive and effective remedy.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Suresh O
As someone from Telangana, I'm glad our government is fighting for our rightful share. Andhra's violations of the GWDT award are serious. If they are using more than their allotted water, it directly affects our farmers. This needs to be stopped.
R
Rohit P
Respectfully, this feels like political posturing. Withdrawing the petition after the SC's observation makes it seem like the legal strategy wasn't sound from the start. These inter-state issues need less politics and more technical, apolitical problem-solving.
P
Priya S
Water is life for our agriculture. Both states must follow the rules. If Andhra is ignoring a stop work order and preparing DPR without permission, that's completely wrong. The Centre must step in and ensure compliance. Jai Telangana, but also Jai Samanvaya (harmony).
M
Michael C
Interesting to see federal dynamics at play here. The Supreme Court directing towards a civil suit under Article 131 shows the complexity. Hope the eventual solution is data-driven and sustainable for all communities dependent on these rivers.
N
Nikhil C
Polavaram has been a controversy for years. At the end of the day, the people of both states suffer when projects get delayed or waters are disputed. Governments should work together for basin management, not fight in courts endlessly.

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

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