Hyderabad: BRS leader and former Minister T. Harish Rao on Saturday alleged that the Telangana government was compromising the State’s interests in the sharing of Krishna and Godavari river waters. He also demanded that the Congress government disclose the details of the recent meeting involving the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on Tungabhadra water sharing.

Addressing a press conference in Hyderabad, Harish Rao claimed that the Chief Minister’s handling of river water issues could adversely affect Telangana’s long-term interests. He alleged that the previous BRS government had secured approvals for major irrigation projects, while the present government had failed to adequately safeguard the State’s water rights.

Harish Rao questioned the significance of celebrations surrounding the replacement of gates at the Tungabhadra Dam, stating that Telangana’s primary concern should be securing its rightful share of river waters rather than symbolic events.

The BRS leader alleged that Karnataka is proceeding with the proposed 35 TMC Naveli Reservoir upstream of the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS), while Andhra Pradesh is planning the 20 TMC Gundrevula Project downstream of the RDS. According to him, these projects could affect water inflows into the Srisailam Reservoir and, in turn, impact irrigation projects such as the Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme and the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project.

He further alleged that the Telangana government had not effectively opposed these proposed projects or taken adequate steps to protect the State’s interests.

Harish Rao also questioned whether the Chief Minister had secured any assurance regarding Telangana’s allocation of 15.90 TMC under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme, the closure of alleged unauthorised outlets in Andhra Pradesh on the RDS, or repairs to the canal system and dam infrastructure.

He demanded that the Chief Minister disclose what transpired during the meeting attended by the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, along with a senior Union Water Resources official. Harish Rao also questioned reports that Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior irrigation officials were not part of the discussions.

Additionally, Harish Rao alleged that Karnataka had begun constructing three barrages on the Tungabhadra River without the required statutory approvals.

The Telangana government’s response to these allegations was not immediately available.