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Hyderabad: As election activities are intensifying in Telangana, the water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is suddenly gaining momentum. In a midnight operation, Andhra Pradesh, in an apparent move, took control of half of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam located on the border between the two states. The decision has escalated the ongoing water dispute, potentially turning it into a significant election issue.
Andhra Pradesh officials, along with a force of about 500 police personnel, arrived at the dam site at around 2 am, claiming jurisdiction over a portion of the dam. The officials reportedly clashed with Telangana Special Security Force, damaged CCTV cameras and barricaded the 13th gate of the dam. This surprise acquisition, further intensifying an already tense situation, is a clear indication of the growing conflict over water resources between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
The acquisition has provoked reactions from political figures. Bhuvanagiri MP Komatireddy Venkata Reddy accused Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao of adopting distraction tactics during the elections and trying to inflame the sentiments of Telangana for electoral gains. TPCC president A Revanth Reddy also accused Rao of creating trouble at the dam for his political gains.
Water disputes are a recurring issue in India, where control over rivers and dams often instigates conflict. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is an example of this. Andhra Pradesh had to open a gate of the dam to meet its drinking water needs, leading to friction with Telangana.
The incident highlighted on Thursday when Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari alleged that about 500 armed policemen from Andhra Pradesh came to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and damaged the CCTV cameras and released about 5,000 cusecs of water by opening the head regulators located at gate number 5 and 7.
He said Andhra Pradesh’s move would later create “law and order issues” in Telangana when voting was underway for the state assembly elections, expressing concern that it would lead to two incidents of violence in Hyderabad and surrounding areas. The drinking water supply of crores of people will be seriously disrupted. ,
The Telangana government responded swiftly to the acquisition by filing an urgent complaint against Andhra Pradesh, bringing the issue to the Centre’s attention. This incident underlines the high risks involved in water resources management and its important role in inter-state relations.
