Banakacherla Project
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: IE
Context: A new inter-state water conflict has emerged between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh over the Banakacherla reservoir project, with Telangana alleging violation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
About Banakacherla Project:
• The Banakacherla Reservoir Project is a proposed irrigation infrastructure by the Andhra Pradesh government aimed at diverting surplus Godavari River water to address drought conditions in Rayalaseema.
• Location: Banakacherla, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh The project plans to channel water from the Godavari via the Krishna River system.
• Banakacherla, Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh
• The project plans to channel water from the Godavari via the Krishna River system.
• States Involved: Andhra Pradesh (Project implementing state) and Telangana (Objecting state).
• Project Features: River Diversion Plan: Enhances the Polavaram Right Main Canal capacity (from 17,500 to 38,000 cusecs). Increases Thatipudi Lift Canal capacity (from 1,400 to 10,000 cusecs). Constructs a reservoir at Bollapalli to lift and channel water to Banakacherla via a tunnel through Nallamala forest. Lift Points: Five major lift stations: Harischandrapuram, Lingapuram, Vyyandana, Gangireddypalem, and Nakirekallu. Linking Rivers: Connects Godavari to Krishna to Penna, aiding water transfer to Rayalaseema. Key Issues Raised by Telangana: Violation of Reorganisation Act: Telangana claims the project violates the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which mandates prior approvals for such inter-basin projects. Lack of Regulatory Approvals: The project hasn’t received clearance from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), or the Central Water Commission (CWC). Godavari Tribunal Allocation Ignored: Telangana was allocated 968 TMCft out of 1,486 TMCft by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, and surplus estimation hasn’t been formalized. Threat to Telangana Projects: Telangana fears that diversion would impact its own irrigation schemes and reservoirs dependent on Godavari water.
• River Diversion Plan: Enhances the Polavaram Right Main Canal capacity (from 17,500 to 38,000 cusecs). Increases Thatipudi Lift Canal capacity (from 1,400 to 10,000 cusecs). Constructs a reservoir at Bollapalli to lift and channel water to Banakacherla via a tunnel through Nallamala forest.
• Enhances the Polavaram Right Main Canal capacity (from 17,500 to 38,000 cusecs).
• Increases Thatipudi Lift Canal capacity (from 1,400 to 10,000 cusecs).
• Constructs a reservoir at Bollapalli to lift and channel water to Banakacherla via a tunnel through Nallamala forest.
• Lift Points: Five major lift stations: Harischandrapuram, Lingapuram, Vyyandana, Gangireddypalem, and Nakirekallu.
• Five major lift stations: Harischandrapuram, Lingapuram, Vyyandana, Gangireddypalem, and Nakirekallu.
• Linking Rivers: Connects Godavari to Krishna to Penna, aiding water transfer to Rayalaseema.
• Connects Godavari to Krishna to Penna, aiding water transfer to Rayalaseema.
• Key Issues Raised by Telangana: Violation of Reorganisation Act: Telangana claims the project violates the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which mandates prior approvals for such inter-basin projects. Lack of Regulatory Approvals: The project hasn’t received clearance from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), or the Central Water Commission (CWC). Godavari Tribunal Allocation Ignored: Telangana was allocated 968 TMCft out of 1,486 TMCft by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, and surplus estimation hasn’t been formalized. Threat to Telangana Projects: Telangana fears that diversion would impact its own irrigation schemes and reservoirs dependent on Godavari water.
• Violation of Reorganisation Act: Telangana claims the project violates the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, which mandates prior approvals for such inter-basin projects.
• Lack of Regulatory Approvals: The project hasn’t received clearance from the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), Godavari River Management Board (GRMB), or the Central Water Commission (CWC).
• Godavari Tribunal Allocation Ignored: Telangana was allocated 968 TMCft out of 1,486 TMCft by the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal, and surplus estimation hasn’t been formalized.
• Threat to Telangana Projects: Telangana fears that diversion would impact its own irrigation schemes and reservoirs dependent on Godavari water.