Tensions between the two states arose after Andhra Pradesh grabbed control of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and started releasing water just hours before Telangana went to polls. Almost 700 Andhra police officers broke into the project at around two in the morning on Thursday, when most Telangana officials were preoccupied with the polls. They then opened the right canal, releasing 500 cusecs of Krishna water every hour.
“We are releasing water from Nagarjunasagar right canal on Krishna river for the drinking water purposes,” cryptically posted a message on X on Thursday morning Ambati Rambabu, the state irrigation minister of Andhra Pradesh.
However, the minister went on to explain that they had only removed water that was state property as per the terms of the Andhra Pradesh-Telangana treaty.
“We have not flouted any treaty. 66% of Krishna water belongs to Andhra Pradesh and 34% to Telangana. We have not used even a single drop of water that does not belong to us. We tried to open our canal in our territory. This water is rightfully ours,” Mr Rambabu told the media.
As hostilities worsen, the Centre intervened and demanded that both states return to releasing Nagarjuna Sagar waters on November 28. Ajay Bhalla, the Union Home Secretary, made the suggestion while speaking with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh via video conference. The plan has the approval of both states.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will oversee the dam and make sure that both sides are receiving water in accordance with the agreement in order to prevent additional confrontation.
The incident came to light on Thursday after Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari claimed that approximately 500 armed police officers from Andhra Pradesh entered Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, broke the CCTV cameras, and opened the head regulators at gates number five and seven, releasing approximately 5,000 cubic feet of water.
She expressed concern that the Andhra Pradesh action would substantially interrupt the drinking water supply of two crore people in Hyderabad and nearby areas and that it has caused “law and order issues” in Telangana during state assembly election polls.
Two complaints were filed in Telangana’s Nalgonda district against the Andhra Police.
In 2015, the Andhra Police had made a similar effort to barge into the dam, but Telangana security forces rushed to the spot and prevented the attempt.
