State Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has urged the Central government to intervene in the Krishna water dispute to ensure Telangana is not treated unfairly. He made this demand while speaking at the 2nd All India State Water Ministers’ Conference 2025, organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in Udaipur on Tuesday.
Uttam Reddy accused Andhra Pradesh of illegally diverting Krishna River water from the foreshore of Srisailam Dam and Nagarjuna Sagar Right Bank. He requested the Centre to take immediate action to stop this and also called for the installation of telemetry instruments to monitor Krishna River water usage. Additionally, he pushed for a speedy resolution of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II) case to protect Telangana’s rightful share of water.
The minister also asked the Centre to fully cover the cost of desilting and de-sedimenting all major and minor irrigation projects in Telangana, as it has done for similar projects in other states. He urged the Central government to expedite the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) inquiry into the Medigadda project and provide a clear written recommendation on further steps.
Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that the Telangana government had already started desiltation and de-sedimentation work on major and medium irrigation projects following central guidelines. He requested financial assistance from the Centre for these efforts. He also expressed concern that the NDSA investigation into the Medigadda project had been delayed for several months and asked the Ministry of Jal Shakti to ensure its swift completion.
Speaking about the Musi Riverfront Development Project, which spans 55 km through Hyderabad, the minister urged the Centre to provide full financial support, similar to funds granted for the rejuvenation of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. He explained that the project aims to restore the river’s ecology, improve sewage management, and enhance urban infrastructure while ensuring sustainable water management for Hyderabad.
Uttam Kumar Reddy requested Rs 4,000 crore for building trunk and interceptor sewer networks along the Musi River and another Rs 6,000 crore to link the Godavari River with Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs. He stressed that this connection would secure Hyderabad’s drinking water supply and help rejuvenate the Musi River. Additionally, he called for the speedy allocation of water for the Palamuru-Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme, Samakka-Sarakka Project, and Sitarama Sagar Project. He also demanded low-cost, long-term funding for ongoing irrigation projects in Telangana.
