Hyderabad, Telangana – The Telangana government has intensified its legal campaign against Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project on the Godavari River, highlighting growing tensions between the two states over water management and inter-state river projects. On Sunday, senior officials from Telangana held high-level consultations with leading legal experts to strategize opposition to the project, which the state contends is being expanded without proper statutory approvals and in violation of environmental and technical norms.
The dispute centers around the Polavaram project, a multi-purpose irrigation and hydroelectric venture initiated decades ago on the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. Recently, Andhra Pradesh authorities have been reported to explore linking the existing Polavaram reservoir with the proposed Banakacherla or Nallamala Sagar schemes. Telangana has argued that such an expansion exceeds the scope of the originally approved plan and threatens downstream water availability, potentially affecting millions of people who rely on the Godavari River for agriculture, drinking water, and industrial use within Telangana.
In response to these developments, Telangana has already approached the Supreme Court of India, filing a writ petition challenging the ongoing expansion works. According to the release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the writ petition is scheduled to be heard on January 5, 2026. The petition seeks an immediate halt to any ongoing construction or preparatory works related to the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar linkage, emphasizing that such actions are being undertaken without mandatory statutory approvals from relevant authorities.
On Sunday, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accompanied by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, met senior Supreme Court advocate Abhishek Singhvi in Mumbai to discuss the legal strategy for the case. During the meeting, Reddy emphasized the need for a robust presentation of Telangana’s arguments, instructing the legal team to focus on both technical and statutory aspects. The irrigation department officials were directed to collate and submit all relevant documents, technical reports, and evidence to strengthen the case.
The writ petition filed by Telangana contends that any expansion of the Polavaram project beyond its originally sanctioned plan is illegal. It also objects to the Central government’s review of pre-feasibility reports for the Nallamala Sagar project, arguing that Telangana’s objections were not duly considered. The state has urged the Supreme Court to issue clear directions to central authorities, including the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Union Ministry of Water Resources, and the Godavari River Water Management Board, to ensure compliance with legal and technical norms.
Specifically, the petition alleges that Andhra Pradesh authorities are preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Nallamala Sagar linkage in contravention of the CWC guidelines. Telangana has sought an immediate injunction to prevent any further work on the project until the legal issues are resolved. Additionally, the state has requested that environmental clearances for the expansion projects not be granted, and that any financial assistance from the Union government for these initiatives be withheld until compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements is ensured.
The legal action reflects a broader inter-state dispute over river waters in the region. The Godavari River, often referred to as the lifeline of southern India, flows through multiple states including Maharashtra, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. Projects like Polavaram and the proposed Nallamala Sagar are designed to support irrigation, hydropower generation, and flood management. However, they have long been a source of friction between riparian states due to concerns over water sharing, ecological impact, and the displacement of communities.
Telangana has consistently maintained that any changes to the Polavaram project must be undertaken with its concurrence and in compliance with central regulations. The state argues that unilateral actions by Andhra Pradesh, particularly in expanding the project or linking it with new reservoirs, can adversely affect water flow, reservoir levels, and agricultural operations downstream. According to Telangana officials, the planned Nallamala Sagar linkage could significantly alter the hydrology of the Godavari River within Telangana’s jurisdiction, raising concerns over irrigation shortfalls, groundwater depletion, and environmental sustainability.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Telangana government have also emphasized the legal precedent that inter-state river projects require careful consultation and approval under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act and other central regulations. The Supreme Court petition highlights that the expansion works, if allowed to proceed without proper approvals, may violate both technical norms prescribed by the Central Water Commission and environmental protection laws. The state government has further pointed out that the Central Water Commission’s review of feasibility reports without adequately considering Telangana’s objections undermines principles of fair consultation and due process.
The issue has also taken on a political dimension, with leaders in Telangana portraying the legal challenge as a defense of the state’s rights over its share of river waters. According to government sources, the decision to approach senior Supreme Court advocates like Abhishek Singhvi reflects the high stakes involved, as the outcome of the case could determine water allocations, funding for multi-crore projects, and the long-term management of the Godavari River in the region.
The writ petition also calls on the court to direct the Polavaram Project Authority and Andhra Pradesh authorities to refrain from undertaking any construction, preparatory works, or project-related activities pending judicial review. By seeking judicial intervention, Telangana aims to prevent unilateral execution of expansion plans that could compromise the state’s water security. Officials have stressed that ensuring compliance with statutory procedures, environmental safeguards, and technical guidelines is not only a matter of legal principle but also crucial for maintaining ecological balance and sustainable development along the river basin.
In addition to halting construction, the petition emphasizes the need for the court to ensure that financial support from the Union government is contingent on strict adherence to statutory requirements. Telangana has requested the Supreme Court to direct central authorities to withhold funds for the Nallamala Sagar project until a transparent review process is completed and all objections raised by the state are addressed. This approach reflects the state’s concern that financial and administrative approvals could otherwise be misused to push forward projects in violation of established guidelines.
The case also brings into focus the broader challenges of inter-state water management in India, where projects on shared rivers often generate disputes over water allocation, environmental impact, and resettlement of affected communities. Legal interventions such as Telangana’s writ petition are becoming increasingly common as states seek to assert their rights under federal water-sharing frameworks. By proactively engaging legal experts and presenting comprehensive evidence, Telangana aims to secure a favorable judicial directive that would preserve its interests while ensuring that any expansion of the Polavaram project adheres to technical, environmental, and legal norms.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the writ petition on January 5, 2026, attention is focused on how the judiciary will balance the competing claims of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The outcome is expected to set an important precedent for future inter-state river projects, particularly those involving expansions or modifications of existing multi-purpose schemes. Observers note that the case underscores the need for transparent consultation, adherence to technical guidelines, and careful consideration of environmental and social impacts before undertaking large-scale river projects.
In conclusion, Telangana’s intensified legal push against Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar project represents a strategic move to safeguard its water interests, enforce statutory compliance, and ensure that inter-state projects are executed transparently and lawfully. By engaging senior legal experts, submitting detailed evidence, and seeking judicial intervention, the state is sending a clear message that any unilateral expansion of the Polavaram project without proper approvals will not be tolerated. The coming Supreme Court hearing will be closely watched, not only for its implications on the immediate project but also for its broader impact on inter-state water governance in India.
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