Centre takes over control of Krishna, Godavari irrigation projects amid AP, Telangana water row

With and Andhra Pradesh having been at loggerheads over water Shares, construction of projects and hydel power generation on Krishna and Godavari river basins, the Centre has taken over 107 major and medium Irrigation projects on both the rivers. The decision of the Ministry of Jal Shakti is expected to have serious implications on both the governments as both Telangana and AP will have no powers on the major and medium irrigation projects (both completed and ongoing projects) in their respective states. However, the Centre did not touch minor irrigation projects.

The gazette notification finalizing the jurisdiction of Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and Godavari River Management Board (GRMB) issued by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on Thursday night will come into force from October 14, 2021.

According to the notification, the projects and its components like overhead works (barrages, Dams, reservoirs, regulating structures), part of canal Network and transmission lines come into the purview of the centre. The boards, which are now almost toothless without powers, will now perform all the functions to regulate the supply of water and power generated from the projects.