Tense standoff at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Andhra Pradesh’s bold move amid Telangana polls

Hours before Telangana went to the polls, a sensational development unfolded at the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. Andhra Pradesh’s police force took control of the dam around 2 am on Thursday, releasing 500 cusecs of Krishna water per hour, sparking high tensions between the two states.

Andhra Pradesh’s Assertive Move

Nearly 700 Andhra cops stormed into the project site, taking Telangana officials by surprise, most of whom were preoccupied with poll duties. Andhra Pradesh State Irrigation Minister Ambati Rambabu initially posted a cryptic message about the water release, later clarifying that Andhra Pradesh was only utilizing its rightful share under the treaty with Telangana.

Centre Steps In Amid Escalating Tensions

With tensions mounting, the Centre intervened, proposing both states revert to the water release situation as of November 28. This proposal, made by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, saw both states agreeing to the plan. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will now oversee the dam to ensure compliance with the water-sharing agreement.

Andhra Pradesh Takes Control of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Sparks Tensions with Telangana. Photo courtesy of Sumanthk at English Wikipedia.

Telangana’s Allegations and Concerns

Telangana Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari alleged that the Andhra police force damaged CCTV cameras at the dam and released about 5,000 cusecs of water, creating “law and order issues” in Telangana during state assembly elections. She expressed concern over the potential disruption to the drinking water supply for two crore people in Hyderabad and surrounding areas.

Legal Fallout and Historical Context

Following the incident, two cases were registered against the Andhra Police in Telangana’s Nalgonda district. This event echoes a similar attempt by the Andhra Police in 2015, which was thwarted by Telangana security forces.

This latest episode at Nagarjuna Sagar Dam highlights the ongoing inter-state water conflicts in India, drawing national attention to the challenges of water distribution and state relationships.