The water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has grown more serious over the Bhanakacherla irrigation project. Andhra Pradesh’s Irrigation Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu has strongly responded to Telangana’s objections, saying that their leaders are turning the issue into unnecessary politics. He pointed out that while 3,000 TMC of Godavari river water flows into the sea every year without being used, Andhra Pradesh is using only 200 TMC. He questioned why Telangana is objecting when the project only plans to use water that would otherwise go to waste.

His statement came after a key meeting where the Andhra government decided to speed up the project. Officials have been told to get the remaining environmental permissions quickly and finish the Detailed Project Report (DPR) by July or August. All technical doubts raised by the Central Water Commission have already been answered, according to the minister.

Ramanaidu also made an emotional request for support, saying that just like Telangana once faced water problems, now Rayalaseema is suffering. He said this project could turn the dry Rayalaseema region into green farmland, as it will only divert floodwater that would otherwise flow into the sea.

This ongoing fight between the two Telugu states shows how complicated water-sharing issues are. While Andhra Pradesh is determined to go ahead with the project, Telangana still has concerns. With both states heading towards elections, the issue may get even more heated, and there may be more pressure on the central government to step in and resolve the matter.

At present, around 11,000 cusecs of Godavari water is going unused into the Bay of Bengal every day. Minister Ramanaidu believes this is a lost chance for development and hopes that both states can work together for the good of their people in the coming months.