Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has been vocal about his vision to transform Rayalaseema into a prosperous and developed region. A key element of that vision is the Banakacharla project, aimed at enhancing irrigation and bringing much-needed water to the drought-prone area.
The state government had already allocated funds and was awaiting central approval to begin the project. However, on Monday, the central government unexpectedly returned the proposal, raising concerns and questions among stakeholders.
The project’s core idea is to divert surplus Godavari river water—which currently flows unused into the sea—towards Rayalaseema via the Krishna river system. The goal is to utilize just 200 TMC of the estimated 3000 TMC of extra Godavari water. This diverted water would reach Banakacharla, boosting the region’s irrigation systems like Pothireddypadu, Telugu Ganga, and the KC Canal.
However, the proposal faces strong resistance from Telangana, which is demanding a lion’s share—1900 TMC—of the same surplus water. That leaves 1100 TMC unclaimed, but without a clear inter-state water-sharing agreement, the project’s future hangs in the balance.
To minimize conflict, the AP government included a strategic plan in its proposal—lifting water first to Nagarjuna Sagar, a common point, before diverting it to Rayalaseema. This approach was designed to make the project more acceptable to Telangana and legally defensible.
Yet, another major roadblock remains: environmental and forest clearances. The planned pipeline route passes through eco-sensitive zones, especially the Nallamala forest region, between East Godavari and Guntur. Several approvals from different ministries are still pending, which is likely why the central government returned the proposal for now.
Experts believe that resolving the Godavari water-sharing issue through mutual dialogue between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is crucial. A coordinated agreement could clear the way for smoother approvals and faster project execution.
With the right political will and cooperation between the two Chief Ministers, there’s potential for the Banakacharla project to progress without the need for new, long canal systems.
For now, the project remains in limbo—waiting on clearances, consensus, and coordination.
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