Hyderabad, March 15: In a significant victory for Telangana, Irrigation & Civil Supplies Minister Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has successfully convinced the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to recommend blocking environmental clearance (EC) for the contentious Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) proposed by Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana’s Relentless Opposition to RLIS
The Telangana government has been unwavering in its opposition to RLIS, contending that the project violates multiple environmental regulations and inter-state water-sharing agreements. The state has taken the issue to every relevant authority, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT), MoEF&CC, the Supreme Court, the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), and the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II).
Leading the charge, Uttam Kumar Reddy has personally taken up the matter with the Union Environment Minister, cautioning that Andhra Pradesh’s unilateral execution of RLIS would severely impact Telangana’s rightful share of Krishna River water. His persistent efforts have now yielded a major breakthrough, with the EAC ruling in favor of Telangana’s concerns.
EAC Ruling: A Major Setback for Andhra Pradesh
In its 25th meeting held on February 27, the EAC ruled that Andhra Pradesh must restore the RLIS site to its pre-construction stage before applying for environmental clearance. The committee, while reviewing a case related to RLIS and its compliance with an NGT order, determined that Andhra Pradesh had violated environmental norms and must roll back all work beyond the initial planning stage before any further approvals could be considered.
The EAC ruling mandates that Andhra Pradesh submit an affidavit confirming that no construction beyond the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage has been undertaken. Additionally, the state must provide photographic evidence, details of site restoration, and a timeline for corrective measures. The committee also issued a strong warning that any false or misleading submissions would invite legal action under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Telangana’s Firm Stand Against RLIS
Telangana has consistently argued that RLIS is an illegal project, as it aims to divert Krishna waters without obtaining mandatory approvals from the KRMB and the Apex Council. The state’s legal and environmental teams have worked tirelessly to present a strong case against the project, emphasizing the risks it poses to Telangana’s water security.
As part of these efforts, Principal Secretary (Irrigation) Rahul Bojja also wrote to MoEF&CC, reinforcing Telangana’s objections and urging the Centre to intervene. Officials from Telangana have repeatedly stressed that if RLIS were allowed to proceed, it would severely impact irrigation and drinking water needs in Telangana, particularly in districts that rely on Krishna basin waters.
A Victory for Telangana’s Farmers
The latest EAC ruling has been hailed as a crucial legal and environmental victory for Telangana. It reinforces the state’s argument that RLIS is an unauthorized project that cannot be allowed to continue. The decision is expected to provide significant relief to thousands of farmers, especially in the drought-prone Krishna basin region, who feared that RLIS would drastically reduce water availability for irrigation.
The Telangana government has vowed to remain vigilant and continue its legal battle to safeguard its rightful share of Krishna River water. Officials have affirmed that they will not allow any unauthorized projects that threaten the state’s water security.
“Telangana will continue its determined legal and policy battle to safeguard its rightful share of Krishna River water and prevent unauthorized projects that could endanger our irrigation and drinking water needs,” Uttam Kumar Reddy asserted, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the interests of Telangana’s farmers.
