Andhra-Telangana Meeting With Jal Shakti Ministry Washes Away Some Water-Sharing Disputes

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 05:24 IST

The meeting between CR Patil, N Chandrababu Naidu, and A Revanth Reddy lasted for more than 90 minutes

A major outcome of the meeting was the decision to form a joint committee comprising technical experts and senior officers from both states. Pic/News18

In a significant step towards resolving interstate river water issues, the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, along with their respective irrigation ministers and senior officials, participated in a high-level meeting convened by the union ministry of Jal Shakti in New Delhi on Wednesday. The discussions, which focused on the sharing and management of Krishna and Godavari river waters, were held in a cordial and cooperative atmosphere, said sources.

The meeting between CR Patil, N Chandrababu Naidu, and A Revanth Reddy lasted for more than 90 minutes.

Key agreements reached included the decision to install telemetry systems at reservoir outflows and canal entry points to ensure accurate measurement and transparency in water usage. The proposal, originally suggested by Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, was accepted by Andhra Pradesh, marking a breakthrough in building mutual trust.

Both states also agreed to undertake immediate repairs and protection works for the Srisailam Project, a critical irrigation asset for the region. The restoration will be executed jointly, as per Telangana’s proposal, signalling a spirit of collaboration between the two Telugu states.

A major outcome of the meeting was the decision to form a joint committee comprising technical experts and senior officers from both states. This committee, which will be formally set up by next Monday, has been tasked with addressing all outstanding technical issues, including long-pending water projects in the Krishna and Godavari basins such as Polavaram, Banakacherla, and others. The Centre has directed the committee to work swiftly and submit a feasible report within a short timeframe.

In terms of institutional arrangements, it was agreed that the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) will be based in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, while the Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) will remain in Hyderabad, Telangana. The union ministry of Jal Shakti will supervise the functioning of the committee and coordinate inter-state consultations whenever needed.

Government sources described the outcome as a “positive development," adding that the Centre had strongly encouraged both states to come to the table and engage in dialogue to resolve disputes. The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to the principle of “Telugu states, one people", emphasising mutual respect and cooperation.

If required, the Centre may convene another round of talks at the level of chief ministers or through an apex committee to further accelerate the resolution process. Both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have also been advised to hold regular interstate meetings to address ongoing concerns and chart a path forward in a time-bound manner.

Location :

First Published:

News india Andhra-Telangana Meeting With Jal Shakti Ministry Washes Away Some Water-Sharing Disputes