HYDERABAD: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has issued a grave warning regarding the Andhra Pradesh government’s ongoing construction of the Polavaram-Banakacherla Link Project (PBLP). T. Harish Rao, a senior BRS leader and former irrigation minister, stated that this project, deemed ‘illegal,’ aims to divert substantial quantities of Godavari river water to the Krishna and Penna Basins, thereby severely jeopardizing Telangana’s established water rights.
During a press conference held on Saturday, Mr. Rao vehemently criticized both the BJP-led central government and the ruling Congress government in Telangana. He accused them of gross negligence and complicity, arguing that their inaction could irrevocably harm Telangana’s riparian interests if Andhra Pradesh is permitted to proceed with the PBLP.
Mr. Rao highlighted that the BRS has consistently voiced concerns about Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious plans. He asserted that the Andhra Pradesh government, with what he described as ‘active cooperation’ from the BJP at the Centre, is systematically removing all obstacles to advance the project. As evidence, he cited a letter from Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on September 23, which confirmed that the Pre-Feasibility Report for PBLP was undergoing techno-economic appraisal and that the approval process was well underway.
“Despite nearly three weeks passing since this revelation, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has failed to register any opposition,” Mr. Rao lamented. He further questioned why Mr. Reddy had not challenged the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR), especially since it reportedly relies on floodwaters—a practice strictly forbidden by Central Water Commission (CWC) regulations. “His silence is alarming,” Rao added.
The BRS leader also pointed out that other states have taken stronger stances. Karnataka, in its letter to the Ministry of Jal Shakti on September 17, explicitly warned that it would withhold 112 TMC feet of Krishna water if the PBLP were allowed to proceed. “This scenario would trap Telangana in a dire situation,” Mr. Rao explained, “with Karnataka restricting Krishna water while Andhra Pradesh diverts Godavari water.” He further noted that Maharashtra had also sent a strongly-worded letter, registering its opposition to the use of floodwater for the PBLP, reinforcing the widespread concern over the project’s implications.