The Banakacherla Project, a major river-linking initiative by the Andhra Pradesh government, has stirred significant controversy in 2025, rekindling long-standing water sharing disputes with neighbouring Telangana. The project, which proposes transferring surplus floodwaters from the Godavari River to the Krishna basin and eventually to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region, is seen by Andhra Pradesh as a crucial step toward addressing its irrigation and drinking water challenges. However, Telangana argues that the project violates inter-state agreements and lacks necessary environmental and legal clearances.
Overview of the Banakacherla Project
The Banakacherla Project is a massive inter-basin water transfer plan designed to alleviate water scarcity in the southern districts of Andhra Pradesh, primarily Kadapa and Kurnool. The project aims to divert floodwaters from the Polavaram Dam on the Godavari River and channel them to the Krishna River near Vijayawada. From there, water would be pumped through an intricate system of canals and tunnels under the Nallamala forests to reach the Banakacherla reservoir. This would support agriculture, drinking water, and industrial needs in the Rayalaseema region.
With an estimated cost of over ₹80,000 crore and a land requirement exceeding 40,000 acres—including vast stretches of forest—the project represents one of the most ambitious water infrastructure plans in the region.
Legal and Water-Sharing Context
Water sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is governed by several legal frameworks, including the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) and the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT). After the bifurcation of the unified Andhra Pradesh in 2014, both states entered into water-sharing arrangements ratified under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
Andhra Pradesh claims that the Banakacherla Project is compliant with existing agreements, as it utilizes only surplus floodwaters from the Godavari—water that would otherwise flow into the Bay of Bengal unused. The state argues that its plan is within its allocation and intended purpose under the Polavaram project, which was already approved to divert 80 tmc ft of water to the Krishna basin.
Telangana’s Objections
Telangana has raised strong objections to the Banakacherla Project, accusing Andhra Pradesh of unilateral action and non-compliance with legal procedures. The Telangana government argues that:
- The Godavari water allocations do not include “surplus” floodwaters as claimed by Andhra.
- Andhra Pradesh has not conducted required environmental impact assessments or obtained clearance from the Central Water Commission and Ministry of Environment.
- The project threatens Telangana’s own water security by potentially reducing water availability in the Krishna basin.
Telangana has called for immediate intervention from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, seeking a halt to the project until comprehensive clearances and inter-state consultations are completed.
Environmental and Ecological Concerns
Environmentalists and ecologists have voiced grave concerns about the Banakacherla Project’s impact on the Nallamala forest range, a biodiversity hotspot and home to endangered species. The proposed tunnels could:
- Fragment wildlife corridors.
- Disturb indigenous tribal communities who rely on forest resources.
- Cause salinity intrusion in the Krishna delta due to reduced freshwater inflows, affecting agriculture and fisheries.
Additionally, critics argue that the focus on large-scale infrastructure overshadows more sustainable alternatives like watershed management, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge, which could be equally effective and less harmful.
Current Status and Central Oversight
In a recent development, the Central Environmental Expert Committee has denied environmental clearance to the Banakacherla Project. The committee highlighted:
- The need for thorough interstate consultation.
- The absence of a clear environmental impact assessment (EIA).
- Violations of the 1980 GWDT guidelines.
The committee has advised Andhra Pradesh to revise and resubmit the project proposal with comprehensive studies, legal validation, and a fresh environmental review.
The Road Ahead
The Banakacherla Project remains at the center of political, legal, and ecological debate in South India. While Andhra Pradesh insists on its urgent need to support the water-deficit Rayalaseema region, Telangana’s objections underscore the fragile balance between development and fair water distribution.
As climate change intensifies water scarcity, inter-state river sharing will likely become even more contentious. What remains essential is a transparent, science-based, and cooperative approach that upholds both environmental sustainability and legal equity across state lines.
