CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
In 2025, the Banakacherla project, a major inter-basin water transfer initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government, has once again brought the issue of water sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to the forefront. The proposed project aims to redirect surplus floodwaters from the Godavari River to the Krishna River basin, specifically to address chronic water scarcity in the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. However, the plan has raised legal, environmental, and interstate concerns, leading to strong opposition from Telangana.
About Banakacherla Project
The Banakacherla initiative is designed to harness surplus floodwaters from the Godavari River and divert them to the Krishna basin. The plan involves channeling water from the Polavaram Dam through a complex network of lift irrigation systems, tunnels beneath the Nallamala forest, and an enhanced canal system that ultimately leads to the Banakacherla reservoir. The targeted beneficiaries are the water-scarce districts of Kadapa and Kurnool in Rayalaseema. The project is estimated to cost over Rupees 80,000 crore and will require more than 40,000 acres of land, a significant portion of which lies within ecologically sensitive forest areas.
Water Sharing Framework And Legal Background
The water allocation between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is guided by past tribunal awards and post-bifurcation agreements. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal awarded 2130 TMC ft of Krishna waters among Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the two Telugu states reached an understanding on sharing Krishna waters.
For the Godavari, the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal allocated 1,486 TMC ft to the undivided Andhra Pradesh, which included provisions for diverting up to 80 TMC ft from the Polavaram project into the Krishna basin. Andhra Pradesh argues that the Banakacherla scheme draws from unutilized, surplus floodwaters of the Godavari that would otherwise drain into the Bay of Bengal. Hence, it considers the project compliant with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
Telangana's Objections
Telangana has raised several objections against the Banakacherla project. The state alleges that the project violates the terms of the Reorganisation Act and existing tribunal verdicts. Telangana argues that the diverted water includes more than just surplus floodwater and that the move could jeopardize its own water security. Furthermore, the Telangana government claims that Andhra Pradesh is proceeding without obtaining essential environmental clearances or conducting comprehensive impact assessments. They have called for strict adherence to legal and institutional protocols before any construction begins.
Environmental And Ecological Concerns
Environmentalists and ecologists have also sounded the alarm over the Banakacherla project. Diverting river flows could reduce the volume of freshwater reaching downstream deltas, worsening salinity intrusion, impacting agricultural productivity, degrading fish habitats, and damaging fragile mangrove ecosystems. The tunneling work proposed under the Nallamala forests threatens to fragment critical wildlife habitats and disturb the delicate balance of biodiversity in the region. Indigenous communities residing in forested areas are also likely to be adversely affected. Despite these risks, sustainable alternatives like rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge remain underutilized in the region.
Recent Developments And Official Review
In a recent development, the Central Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on River Valley Projects under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) refused to grant environmental clearance for the Banakacherla project. The EAC cited unresolved legal, ecological, and interstate water-sharing concerns as the basis for its decision. The committee recommended that Andhra Pradesh engage with the Central Water Commission and ensure full compliance with the Godavari Tribunal's 1980 directives. The state has been advised to revise and resubmit its proposal for future consideration.
Conclusion
The Banakacherla project embodies the complex intersection of regional water needs, legal frameworks, environmental sustainability, and inter-state cooperation. As climate pressures and water scarcity intensify, balancing development with ecological preservation and legal equity will be critical for resolving such disputes in a sustainable manner.
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