Banakacherla

 The Banakacherla Water Dispute: River Linking, Rayalaseema, and the Ripples of Federal Tension

✍️ By Suryavanshi, IAS
(An integrated UPSC analysis on inter-state water conflict and policy)

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The Story So Far

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are once again locked in a familiar battle—over water. This time, it’s the ₹80,000+ crore Banakacherla Project, an ambitious river-linking plan envisioned by CM N. Chandrababu Naidu to divert surplus Godavari floodwaters to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. Telangana, however, calls the project illegal and unilateral, lacking environmental and inter-state clearances.

The project, though technical in nature, sits at the intersection of law, environment, politics, and cooperative federalism.

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What is the Banakacherla Project?

• A Godavari–Krishna river interlinking scheme.

• Diverts floodwaters from Polavaram → Prakasam Barrage → Bollapalli Reservoir → via tunnels under Nallamala forests → Banakacherla Reservoir.

• Will supply water to Kadapa and Kurnool (Rayalaseema).

• Requires 40,500 acres, including forest land, and six lift stations consuming 4,000+ MW power.

• Projected benefit: Utilize 200 tmc ft from ~3,000 tmc ft of Godavari floodwater that flows into the sea annually.

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The Legal Landscape: Reorganisation Act & Tribunals

 Andhra’s Stand:

• Cites "surplus" water usage after upstream needs (Karnataka, Maharashtra) are met.

• Refers to Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) and Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT) rulings.

• Claims compliance with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

 Telangana’s Stand:

• Says the project violates inter-state agreements.

• Points to GWDT’s allocation of 500 tmc ft to Andhra and 968 tmc ft to Telangana.

• Alleges non-transparency and lack of environmental and legal clearance.

• Accuses Andhra of bypassing the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB).

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What Experts Are Saying

Environmental researchers and hydrologists are ringing alarm bells:

1. Delta impact:
   Altered flow may reduce silt and nutrient supply, cause salinity ingress, and harm fisheries and agriculture in both Godavari and Krishna deltas.

2. Biodiversity threat:
   Tunneling under the Nallamala forests could damage wildlife habitats, disturb aquifers, and affect indigenous communities.

3. Sustainable alternatives ignored:
   Experts argue that rainwater harvesting, micro-irrigation, and intra-basin solutions haven’t been fully explored.

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Cooperative Federalism at a Crossroads

Water is a State subject (Entry 17, State List), but inter-State rivers fall under Entry 56 of the Union List. The Centre is empowered to regulate inter-State river waters, yet often acts reactively rather than proactively.

This dispute shows:

• Lack of coordination between river boards (like GRMB, KRMB) and states.

• Absence of a permanent institutional mechanism for inter-state water disputes resolution.

• State-driven mega-projects being launched without inter-state consent or proper EIAs.

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Recent Update (July 2025)

The Central Environmental Expert Committee (EAC) has refused to grant clearance to the Polavaram–Banakacherla project.
Citing:

• Lack of adherence to GWDT 1980 verdict

• Need for revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• Violation of inter-State coordination norms

The project has been returned to Andhra for revision.

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GS Mains Takeaways

Paper	Themes
GS Paper 2	Federalism, Centre-State relations, Interstate water disputes, Role of tribunals, River boards, Reorganisation Act
GS Paper 3	Environmental impact, River interlinking, Water resource management, Sustainable development, Infrastructure vs ecology

Model Mains line:

“The Banakacherla project reflects the classic tension between regional developmental needs and inter-State resource equity. It underscores the need for reimagining inter-State water governance through science-based, transparent, and cooperative mechanisms.”

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Final Insight

Water disputes in India are rarely just about water. They’re about trust, transparency, and territorial equity. Projects like Banakacherla highlight the urgent need for:

• A national framework on surplus water use

• Strengthened powers for river management boards

• Environmentally responsible river interlinking models

And for UPSC aspirants, the case is a rich, real-time blend of law, politics, policy, and the environment—perfect for linking static and current affairs in the Mains exam.

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– Suryavanshi, IAS
(Always thinking deeper than the river runs.)