Politics Must Stay Out of Water Sharing, Says Revanth Reddy Amid Krishna River Row

What happened: Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urged Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu not to block Krishna River projects approved before state bifurcation.

Why it matters now: Water-sharing tensions between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are resurfacing ahead of key infrastructure decisions.

What changes for people: Delays could impact irrigation, drinking water supply, and farmer livelihoods in both states.

Who is affected: Farmers, urban consumers, and regional administrations dependent on Krishna River waters.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Friday made a strong appeal to keep politics out of inter-state water disputes, urging Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu not to obstruct irrigation projects on the Krishna River that were cleared when the two states were part of united Andhra Pradesh.

Reddy said water sharing should be guided by agreements, technical assessments, and legal frameworks, not political rivalry, warning that unnecessary disputes ultimately hurt ordinary citizens.

Dispute rooted in pre-bifurcation approvals

The Telangana Chief Minister stressed that several Krishna River projects were formally approved before the 2014 bifurcation, giving both successor states legitimate stakes. He argued that revisiting or delaying these projects undermines cooperative federalism and violates established understandings.

According to Reddy, Telangana is only seeking to exercise its lawful rights over projects already sanctioned, not to create new flashpoints between the two Telugu-speaking states.

Call for dialogue over confrontation

Reddy appealed for institutional dialogue between the two governments, saying disputes should be resolved through river management boards, tribunals, and technical committees rather than public sparring.

He cautioned that politicising water could escalate tensions at a time when both states are grappling with climate stress, erratic rainfall, and rising demand.

Why Krishna River water is critical

The Krishna River is a lifeline for agriculture, drinking water, and power generation across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Any delay in project execution can directly affect crop cycles, urban supply systems, and rural employment.

Experts note that prolonged disagreements also slow down infrastructure investment, increasing costs and uncertainty.