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AP CM Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana CM Revanth Reddy meet in Delhi amid political tensions
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Meeting chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil avoids Banakacherla project
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Andhra agrees to Telangana’s proposal for telemetry systems to monitor water releases
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th July: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy held a cordial and constructive meeting in the national capital on Wednesday, setting aside political tensions to make progress on critical water-sharing issues.
The meeting, chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, notably avoided direct discussion on the Banakacherla project—a key point of contention between the two states—but succeeded in building consensus on several technical and administrative fronts.
Among the significant outcomes was Andhra Pradesh’s acceptance of Telangana’s proposal to install telemetry systems to monitor water discharge from various reservoirs. The move is expected to increase transparency and reduce future disputes over allocation.
In another landmark decision, it was agreed that the Godavari River Management Board will be headquartered in Telangana, while the Krishna River Management Board will be based in Andhra Pradesh—an administrative reshuffle long under consideration.
Additionally, Andhra Pradesh consented to take up repair works on the Srisailam Project, vital to both states. To address other unresolved water-sharing concerns related to Krishna and Godavari river projects, the two sides agreed to form a technical committee within a week. This expert body will develop practical solutions and depoliticise technical disputes.
Notably, Telangana had written to the Centre a day earlier, expressing unwillingness to discuss Banakacherla’s water diversion, and Naidu had raised it separately with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Yet, the absence of any confrontation during Wednesday’s meeting reflects a shared intent to work collaboratively—at least for now—on less divisive issues.
The meeting marks a significant shift in tone, with both sides recognising the need for cooperative federalism in managing shared resources, setting a constructive precedent for future engagements.
