Banakacherla Reservoir Project Dispute

  • 30 Jun 2025

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A fresh inter-state water dispute has surfaced between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with Telangana accusing Andhra Pradesh of violating provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 through its proposed Banakacherla Reservoir Project.

About the Banakacherla Reservoir Project

  • Location: Banakacherla, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh
  • Implementing State: Andhra Pradesh
  • Objecting State: Telangana
  • Purpose: To divert surplus Godavari river water to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region via the Krishna river system.

Key Features of the Project:

River Diversion and Infrastructure Upgrades:

  • Polavaram Right Main Canal capacity to be increased from 17,500 to 38,000 cusecs.
  • Thatipudi Lift Canal capacity to be enhanced from 1,400 to 10,000 cusecs.
  • New reservoir at Bollapalli, with a tunnel through the Nallamala forest to transfer water to Banakacherla.

Lift Irrigation Points:

Five major lift stations planned:

  1. Harischandrapuram
  2. Lingapuram
  3. Vyyandana
  4. Gangireddypalem
  5. Nakirekallu

Inter-Basin Linkage:

  • Connects Godavari → Krishna → Penna rivers.
  • Aims to ensure water availability in Rayalaseema and address regional droughts.

Telangana’s Objections

1. Violation of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014:Telangana alleges the project bypasses the statutory requirement of prior approval for new inter-basin water projects between the successor states.

2. Absence of Statutory Clearances:

  • The project has not been cleared by:
    • Krishna River Management Board (KRMB)
    • Godavari River Management Board (GRMB)
    • Central Water Commission (CWC)

3. Godavari Tribunal Allocation Overlooked:

  • Telangana cites the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award which allocated 968 TMCft to the state out of 1,486 TMCft.
  • Telangana argues that “surplus water” claims lack formal quantification or agreement.

4. Potential Impact on Telangana Projects:Telangana fears that Andhra’s diversion plan will affect its own irrigation schemes and reservoirs dependent on Godavari inflows.

Broader Implications

  • This dispute underscores the growing tensions over inter-basin water transfers in India, especially in the context of climate variability and regional water stress.
  • It highlights the need for:
    • Transparent interstate coordination
    • Functioning river boards
    • Expedited dispute resolution mechanisms