Andhra Pradesh opposes Telangana’s claim on Pulichintala reservoir water share

Vijayawada: Stating that the Pulichintala balancing reservoir was constructed exclusively to serve the needs of the Krishna delta ayacut in Andhra Pradesh, the AP govt has strongly opposed Telangana’s demand for a share in the reservoir’s waters.Andhra Pradesh also rejected Telangana’s claims over surplus waters before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal. It argued that Pulichintala was built entirely within the geographical limits of Andhra Pradesh and was intended only to stabilise irrigation in the Krishna delta region. The state maintained that Telangana has no legal or historical entitlement over the reservoir’s waters.The AP govt submitted its arguments before the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal, which is adjudicating the Krishna river water disputes between the two Telugu states. Andhra Pradesh contended that Telangana was attempting to stake a claim to projects and surplus waters without any valid basis.According to AP, the Pulichintala project was conceived and executed as a balancing reservoir to regulate flows to the Krishna delta and ensure irrigation stability during deficient inflows. The state pointed out that the reservoir does not create any new ayacut for Telangana, and, therefore, cannot be treated as a common project.AP further argued that, after bifurcation, Telangana has repeatedly sought allocations from projects originally designed for the exclusive benefit of regions now falling within Andhra Pradesh. It maintained that such claims were contrary to the provisions of the AP Reorganisation Act and established water-sharing principles.AP also opposed Telangana’s demand for a share in surplus waters, asserting that surplus flows cannot be treated as assured allocations. The govt said any allocation of surplus waters should depend on actual availability and basin conditions, and cannot be claimed as a matter of right.Sources said AP explained before the tribunal that Pulichintala plays a crucial role in meeting irrigation requirements of the Krishna delta, particularly during periods of low inflows. Any diversion or sharing of these waters, AP argued, would adversely affect lakhs of farmers dependent on delta irrigation.AP further said that there are no hydrological surveys conducted to take up new lift irrigation schemes in Telangana by diversion of water from Pulichintala. “Telangana’s argument to grant 128tmc ft of 194tmc ft from the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal award to undivided AP is completely irrational. In fact, the tribunal award was not legalised/published to seek a share in the anticipated award. It is nothing but seeking a share in the already allocated water to various projects. They are trying to rewrite the previous award,” said senior legal counsel of AP Jaideep Gupta.The tribunal has posted the matter to July 22 for further hearing.