CM Revanth Reddy: Ready to Talk with Chandrababu on Water Disputes

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday said he is willing to hold talks with Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu to resolve inter-state water disputes, including the contentious Polavaram-Banakacharla link project.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Revanth Reddy stated that the issue would first be discussed in the Telangana cabinet meeting on June 23, after which he would formally invite Chandrababu for direct talks. He stressed the need for both Chief Ministers to sit down—“for one day or even four days”—and address project-wise concerns by examining legal and technical aspects.

Revanth criticized Andhra Pradesh for submitting the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for the Banakacharla project directly to the Centre without consulting Telangana. "Had there been prior discussion, the dispute could have been avoided," he said.

He accused the Centre of showing bias, responding promptly to AP’s proposals while ignoring Telangana's representations for the past 18 months. “Modi needs Chandrababu's support at the Centre. That’s why there's immediate action on AP’s requests,” he alleged.

Clarifying Telangana’s stand, he said the state is committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and has no intention of confrontation. “We are 100% confident that dialogue between the two states is the only way forward. We don't want unnecessary conflict,” he said.

Revanth also took aim at the opposition BRS, accusing it of trying to revive itself politically by inflaming water issues. “BRS is politically dead. It is trying to make water disputes its lifeline. The disputes of the last 10 years worsened under KCR and Harish Rao, who are now pretending innocence,” he said.

He pointed out that the groundwork for the Banakacharla project was laid between 2016 and 2018, when the AP government issued GOs for surveys. “Why didn’t KCR challenge them in court back then?” he asked.

Revanth cited the Bifurcation Act, which requires both states to obtain mutual consent for any new construction on the Krishna and Godavari rivers. “Just as we seek clearance for our projects, AP must also get our permission,” he asserted.

On Telangana's own infrastructure, Revanth said an additional ₹50,000 crore is needed to complete the Kaleshwaram project. However, he clarified that Telangana’s status as the top grain producer is not due to Kaleshwaram alone. When asked whether Kaleshwaram had required permission under the Bifurcation Act, he said it was not a new project but a redesign of an existing one.