- KR Bharat
- 2025-12-17
Telangana Moves Supreme Court to Halt Andhra’s Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Link Project
Telangana has approached the Supreme Court, seeking a stay on Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Link Project (PNLP), alleging that the project involves the illegal diversion of Godavari floodwaters. The move comes amid growing tensions between Andhra Pradesh and other upper riparian States, which have raised objections over potential violations of tribunal awards and the ecological impact of the project.
According to the writ petition filed on Tuesday, Telangana termed the scheme a flagrant violation of interstate water-sharing norms, describing it as a unilateral attempt by Andhra Pradesh to siphon off 200 TMC of Godavari floodwaters—a move seen as detrimental to upper riparian States, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
The petition highlights that Andhra Pradesh’s actions could upset long-standing agreements on river water equity, while also raising serious environmental and ecological concerns. Telangana has urged the Supreme Court to intervene immediately and halt the project until all legal and environmental clearances are examined.
The PNLP, part of Andhra Pradesh’s larger irrigation and water-linking ambitions, has drawn sharp criticism from neighboring states, which fear reduced water availability downstream and potential ecological disruption. With the Supreme Court now involved, the interstate water dispute is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.
