Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka agree to resolve water disputes amicably

Vijayawada: The govts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Telangana have in principle agreed to resolve all water disputes through negotiations and consultations. Water resources ministers of the three-states — DK Shivakumar (Karnataka), Nimmala Ramanaidu (AP), and Uttam Kumar Reddy (Telangana) — discussed various contentious issues on the sidelines of the national conference of water resources ministers, held in Udaipur on Wednesday, and decided to achieve consensus to resolve the water disputes between the three states. Ramanaidu took the initiative to discuss with his counterparts and explain the ordeals of Andhra Pradesh, which is located at the bottom of the Krishna basin. He requested Karnataka and Telangana ministers to extend their support in taking their rightful share of water from Krishna as they were dependent on the upper-riparian states. He said AP can get water only after the reservoirs in Karnataka reach full reservoir level. He requested Shivakumar to cooperate in removing the silt from Tungabhadra reservoir as it would benefit all three states. Shivakumar told Ramanaidu he would visit Amaravati to discuss the issue with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu."The meeting was held in a very positive and cordial environment. We have decided to work together through collective decisions and consultations for the well-being of farmers of the three states without anyone losing out," Ramanaidu told TOI. Meanwhile, Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil promised to extend the fullest support to AP for completion of Polavaram project. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also keen to complete the project as per schedule. Ramanaidu explained that they have set Dec 2027 as the deadline for completion of Polavaram project. "We will complete the D-wall by Dec 2025 and project by Dec 2027. The construction work of D-wall has already started with two cutters, and work will be expedited with another cutter from March," he said.