The BRS on Saturday cautioned the state government against accepting the proposals put forth by Andhra Pradesh concerning the Godavari-Cauvery river linking project. The party stated that these plans would be detrimental to Telangana's water interests.
Speaking at a press conference, senior BRS leader and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao explained that the proposed new route completely bypasses Telangana. He elaborated that water from Polavaram would go to the Cauvery via Bollapalli in Andhra Pradesh, thereby circumventing Inchampalli and Nagarjunasagar in Telangana.
Harish Rao recalled that the initial plan for the river link, passing through Telangana, would have provided irrigation to 2,38,236 acres across the erstwhile Warangal, Nalgonda, and Rangareddy districts. He emphasized that this benefit would be lost if Andhra Pradesh's current proposals are not challenged.
Harish Rao also noted that Chandrababu Naidu had written to the Centre on October 7, requesting the link to commence from Polavaram. He added that this specific point was subsequently included in the agenda for the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) meeting.
Harish Rao alleged that Naidu had convinced the Centre, clearing the way to Banakacherla in the name of the Godavari-Cauvery link. The BRS reiterated that these proposals would cause harm to Telangana.
