Telangana Reasserts Rights Over Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme and Tungabhadra Waters
The Telangana government is prioritizing the protection of its share of Tungabhadra river water through the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme. Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has ordered the preparation of a comprehensive plan to address infrastructure issues and present a strong legal case.
Highlights
- •Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy directed officials to protect Telangana's share of Tungabhadra river water.
- •The strategy includes modernizing the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) and accelerating the Tummilla lift irrigation project.
- •Officials highlighted issues such as siltation, unauthorized water diversions, and aging infrastructure impacting the RDS.
- •Telangana plans to present a robust legal and technical argument before tribunals and water boards.
The Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS) has returned to the forefront of state administrative priorities as officials move to secure Telangana's equitable share of the Tungabhadra river waters. Following recent directives, the state is preparing a comprehensive technical and legal roadmap to protect its irrigation interests against ongoing regional challenges.
Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy presided over a strategic meeting with senior department officials on Monday. The primary focus was on ensuring that Telangana asserts its legitimate water rights from the Tungabhadra river. This high-level review occurred just days before Karnataka’s scheduled June 25 celebration concerning the installation of 33 new gates at the Tungabhadra dam.
Safeguarding Water Rights and Modernization Efforts
During the session, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasized that there would be no leniency regarding the utilization of the state's allocated share of water from the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme. The minister underscored the urgent necessity of expediting the modernization of the RDS infrastructure, strictly adhering to recommendations previously laid out by expert committees. Furthermore, plans were reiterated to accelerate the implementation of Phase-II of the Tummilla lift irrigation project, which is designed to serve as a vital supplementary source for the region's agricultural needs.
The meeting also addressed longstanding infrastructural concerns brought forward by G. Sitarami Reddy, a former chairman of the RDS. Key issues discussed included the deteriorating state of the scheme's headworks, unauthorized water diversions by neighboring jurisdictions, and the significant reduction in reservoir storage capacity caused by siltation. These factors collectively threaten the availability of water for the ayacut farmers who rely heavily on this irrigation network.
Legal Framework and Future Strategy
The historical context of the dispute stems from the Krishna Waters Disputes Tribunal-I award. While the erstwhile unified Andhra Pradesh was allotted 17.1 tmc ft of water, Telangana’s designated share stands at 15.9 tmc ft. However, actual water receipts have consistently fallen short of these figures due to infrastructural leakages and other administrative hurdles. Concerns were also raised regarding work initiated by Andhra Pradesh in Kurnool district to construct a parallel canal to the RDS, which Telangana officials argue would lead to unauthorized water drawals.
Looking ahead, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy instructed officials to finalize an robust action plan. This strategy will be utilized to present Telangana’s arguments forcefully before inter-state meetings, water boards, and relevant tribunals. The government has identified the protection of these water rights as a primary objective to ensure the long-term stability and livelihood of farmers dependent on the RDS irrigation system.
