Tungabhadra Gates Modernised: Revanth Hails Historic Step to End Water Disputes

Top Summary

• What happened: All 33 spillway gates at the Tungabhadra reservoir were installed and modernised, inaugurated by Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil.
• Why it matters: This initiative offers a lasting solution to long-standing water issues and disputes affecting lakhs of farmers and migrant families across three states, promoting cooperation over confrontation.
• What changes: Farmers in Ballari, Anantapur, Kurnool, and Mahbubnagar districts will receive major relief from water scarcity and migration. Water availability is expected to improve.
• Who is affected: Lakhs of farmers and migrant families in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, particularly those dependent on the Tungabhadra waters and regions like Gadwal, Alampur, and Palamuru.

A Historic Milestone for Water Security

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy declared the installation and modernisation of all 33 spillway gates at the Tungabhadra reservoir a historic step towards resolving water issues. He affirmed that this initiative would provide a lasting solution for lakhs of farmers and migrant families in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Participating in the inauguration alongside Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Revanth Reddy emphasised the importance of cooperation over political confrontation in settling inter-state water disputes.

Addressing Decades of Disputes

Addressing a public meeting in Hosapete, Karnataka, Revanth Reddy described the event as a “historic” and “red-letter day,” destined to secure a permanent place in the Tungabhadra project's history. He highlighted that the replacement of old gates with new ones marks a significant milestone in safeguarding the inter-state irrigation project's future.

The Chief Minister noted that this initiative directly addresses a water-sharing dispute that has persisted for decades. It offers major relief to farmers in Ballari (Karnataka), Anantapur and Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), and Mahbubnagar (Telangana), where water scarcity and migration have been recurring problems.

Pledge for Inter-State Cooperation

Revanth Reddy reiterated Telangana’s commitment to settling pending issues related to the Krishna, Godavari, and Tungabhadra rivers with neighbouring states. He pointed out that Telangana currently receives only about 6 tmc ft of water against its allocated 17.9 tmc ft under the Rajolibanda diversion scheme (RDS), severely impacting farmers in Gadwal, Alampur, and Palamuru regions.

“The coming together of the Chief Ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka on a common platform under the chairmanship of Union minister C.R. Patil reflected a collective resolve to address the problems of the Tungabhadra command area beyond political considerations,” Revanth Reddy stated.

He urged all political forces to rise above partisan interests, advocating for coordinated action to meet the long-standing water needs of farmers. He drew parallels to the Mysore kings, who set aside disputes for the farmers' benefit, underscoring present-day governments' similar responsibility.

Telangana's Water Concerns and Appeal

The Chief Minister highlighted that nearly 10 tmc ft of water allocated to Telangana remains unutilised. This is due to various reasons, including silt accumulation in the Tungabhadra reservoir and other constraints affecting water flow and availability.

He confirmed that the Telangana government has already brought these issues, including silt accumulation and water allocation disputes, to the attention of the Union Jal Shakti Minister. Revanth Reddy appealed to Minister Patil to expedite efforts towards finding a permanent solution to inter-state water-sharing issues related to the Tungabhadra river.

“The discussions held on the banks of the Tungabhadra were momentous and that all stakeholders had resolved during the meeting to work towards a lasting solution to the water crisis,” Revanth Reddy affirmed.

He urged the Centre to play a constructive role in facilitating discussions among riparian states and ensuring a fair and enduring settlement, recalling that the Tungabhadra dam itself was built through cooperation.

What to Watch Next

Future focus will be on the Centre's role in facilitating further discussions to resolve remaining inter-state water disputes, particularly concerning the Krishna and Godavari river systems. Monitoring efforts to address silt accumulation in the Tungabhadra reservoir will also be crucial for sustained water availability and the full utilisation of allocated water by states like Telangana.