Harish Rao Questions Revanth Reddy Over AP's Veligonda Water Diversion

Former irrigation minister and senior BRS leader T. Harish Rao has accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of remaining silent over Andhra Pradesh's diversion of water from the Krishna river through its Veligonda project, speaking from Hyderabad.

Harish Rao alleged that Andhra Pradesh is drawing Krishna water from the Veligonda project under the claim of using flood waters, despite the lack of an established allocation of flood flows, which have been very low this year. He pointed out that Andhra Pradesh was already drawing Krishna water through Malyala, Muchumarri, Pothireddypadu, and the Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal, and is now extending this through Veligonda.

Describing the situation as a grave injustice to farmers across Palamuru, Rangareddy, Nalgonda, and other parts of Telangana, Harish Rao demanded that the Chief Minister explain why water meant for Telangana's farmers is being permitted to flow to the neighbouring state.

Harish Rao also questioned the role of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB), which is mandated to oversee the utilisation of Krishna waters by both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He asked who would protect Telangana's interests if the board itself remained a spectator while the state's water rights were undermined.

According to Harish Rao, multiple major irrigation projects within Telangana's Krishna basin—including Bheema, Kalwakurthy, Nettampadu, and Koilsagar—are facing severe water shortages, leaving their respective ayacuts dependent on inadequate supplies while farmers suffer.