Revanth Reddy Seeks Centre’s Help on Tungabhadra Water Distribution Dispute
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has urged the central government to intervene in the Tungabhadra water distribution issue. The state is facing a significant deficit, impacting thousands of acres of agricultural land, and demands improved coordination with neighboring riparian states to ensure fair water allocation.
Highlights
- •CM A. Revanth Reddy urges Centre to address the inequitable distribution of Tungabhadra river water.
- •Telangana receives only 5-6 tmc ft of water against its 15.9 tmc ft entitlement.
- •Heavy silt accumulation at RDS headworks is severely restricting critical irrigation water flow.
- •Government seeks comprehensive action plan for dredging, canal modernization, and inter-state coordination.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has formally called upon the central government to intervene in the escalating Tungabhadra water distribution dispute. With the vital irrigation needs of Telangana at risk, the state leadership is seeking better coordination among riparian states, including Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, to ensure an equitable supply of water.
Currently, the state is receiving only 5 to 6 tmc ft against its designated entitlement of 15.9 tmc ft from the Tungabhadra river and dam. This significant deficit directly impacts 83,987 acres of agricultural land across 75 villages in the Jogulamba Gadwal district, which rely heavily on the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS).
Addressing the Tungabhadra Water Distribution Crisis
To address this critical situation, A. Revanth Reddy plans to raise the issue during an upcoming high-level meeting convened by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. The gathering, scheduled to follow the inauguration of 33 new spillway gates at the Tungabhadra dam in Hosapete, Karnataka, will include the participation of Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Technical evaluations have revealed that severe silt accumulation near the RDS headworks is a major obstacle to effective water diversion. Despite clear recommendations from an expert committee as far back as 2004 regarding necessary dredging, revetment works, and the construction of retainer walls, these measures remain unimplemented. A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to draft a detailed comparison report between current site conditions and the historical committee findings to present a firm case to the central authorities.
Furthermore, the state government is pursuing long-term hydraulic improvements to stabilize the RDS system. This initiative includes a comprehensive action plan covering modernization efforts, potential lift irrigation enhancements, and the expansion of storage capacity at the Mallammakunta balancing reservoir. Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy reaffirmed that the government is committed to utilizing all administrative and legal channels to ensure that water allocations reach the fields of farmers in the region, rather than remaining purely theoretical figures.
