The longstanding dispute over the Almatti Dam on the Krishna River has taken a new turn, as the Telangana government announced its intention to approach the Supreme Court of India with a fresh petition challenging Karnataka’s recent decision to increase the dam’s height. The move comes amid growing concerns over water availability for critical irrigation projects in Telangana, reflecting the enduring complexities of inter-state water disputes in India.

Background of the Almatti Dam Dispute

The Almatti Dam, constructed by Karnataka on the Krishna River, has been a focal point of contention between Karnataka, Maharashtra, and the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh—now succeeded by Telangana—since its inception. The dam was originally designed to store water up to a height of 524.256 metres, with structural completion achieved as early as 2002. However, in 2013, the Supreme Court restricted water storage to 519.06 metres (129.72 TMC) in accordance with interim directions, citing concerns over equitable water sharing among the riparian states.

In the years that followed, Karnataka argued before the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT), headed by Justice Brijesh Kumar, that restricting storage to the lower level rendered the significant investment in the dam largely futile. The tribunal, while considering Karnataka’s concerns, retained the 173 TMC allocation recommended by the earlier Bachawat Tribunal, based on 75% water availability, and allowed Karnataka to impound water up to the originally designed height of 524.256 metres. The final report of the tribunal was submitted to the Union government on November 29, 2013.

This report was immediately challenged in the Supreme Court by the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra governments, leading the apex court to stay the implementation of the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal’s final award. Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, Telangana became a party in the ongoing litigation, inheriting the state’s stake in the case.

Karnataka’s Recent Move

Despite the ongoing litigation, the Karnataka cabinet on September 17, 2025, decided to impound water up to the full height of 524.256 metres. Alongside this decision, the state government approved the acquisition of 75,663 acres of landfor the dam’s expansion and sanctioned ₹70,000 crore for rehabilitation and resettlement of affected residents, including those in 20 villages and 11 municipal wards in Bagalkot district, which would be submerged if the dam’s water level was raised.

Karnataka justified its move on the basis that the dam had been structurally completed and argued that impounding water to its full capacity was essential to utilise the infrastructure effectively. The state also asserted that the full height storage would enhance irrigation and hydropower benefits within Karnataka, reinforcing its stance that the additional water storage was crucial for the state’s development plans.

Telangana’s Response

The Telangana government, led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, reacted swiftly to Karnataka’s announcement. On September 21, 2025, the CM convened a high-level official meeting, directing the Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy and senior department officials to prepare a comprehensive response to the proposal. The directive emphasised the protection of Telangana’s water interests and the preparation of a detailed report on the potential adverse impacts of additional water impoundment on irrigation, agriculture, and livelihoods in the state.

Following these directives, the Telangana government resolved to file a fresh interlocutory application (IA) in the Supreme Court, challenging Karnataka’s decision. The IA will address the legal and technical implications of raising the dam’s height, including the potential reduction in water flows to Telangana and the impact on critical irrigation projects that rely on the Krishna River.

Legal and Technical Context

The Almatti Dam dispute is deeply entwined with India’s complex inter-state water-sharing framework. The Krishna River, flowing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana, is governed by a series of tribunals and Supreme Court rulings that seek to balance the competing demands of these riparian states. While Karnataka claims that full storage of Almatti Dam is necessary to justify prior investments and improve water utilisation within the state, Telangana argues that any increase in the dam height would threaten water availability downstream, impacting agriculture, drinking water supply, and power generation in its territory.

The legal framework surrounding the dam is intricate. The Supreme Court has already imposed a stay on impounding additional water in Almatti Dam pending resolution of the case. Telangana’s IA will seek to reinforce this stay and prevent Karnataka from taking unilateral action that could affect the delicate water-sharing balance. The state has appointed Senior Advocate Vaidyanathan to represent its interests in the apex court, reflecting the seriousness with which the government is approaching the matter.

Implications for Irrigation and Agriculture

Telangana’s irrigation projects, including several major and minor schemes that sustain agriculture in the state, could be significantly affected if Karnataka raises the Almatti Dam’s height. Reduced water flow downstream would not only impact crop yields but also threaten rural livelihoods and food security in districts dependent on Krishna River water.

Officials in Telangana have highlighted that the dam’s expansion could submerge large tracts of fertile land in Karnataka, while simultaneously restricting water flow to Telangana, creating a scenario that disadvantages the downstream state. The fresh petition in the Supreme Court will present these technical assessments and argue for the protection of Telangana’s water rights under existing agreements and judicial orders.

Political Dimensions

The dispute over Almatti Dam is not only a legal issue but also a politically sensitive matter. Water sharing among states has historically been a source of tension in India, and any unilateral move by one state is likely to elicit a strong response from downstream states. By moving swiftly to file a fresh petition, the Telangana government aims to signal its resolve to protect the state’s interests and ensure that Karnataka adheres to the principle of equitable water distribution.

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s decision reflects a broader political strategy to safeguard Telangana’s agricultural basewhile asserting the state’s legal and moral claim to its rightful share of Krishna River water. The IA will not only challenge the technical and administrative aspects of Karnataka’s decision but also reinforce Telangana’s position in ongoing inter-state water negotiations.

Future Prospects

As the case progresses in the Supreme Court, several outcomes are possible. The apex court may maintain the existing stay, allowing negotiations and technical assessments to continue without altering water flows. Alternatively, the court could direct both states to revisit prior allocations and work collaboratively on a mutually acceptable framework for dam operation and water management.

Regardless of the judicial outcome, the dispute underscores the challenges of inter-state water governance in India. It highlights the need for transparent, science-based assessments of water availability, careful planning of dam operations, and equitable sharing of resources among states. The Almatti Dam case exemplifies the balancing act required to meet infrastructure objectives, ensure downstream water security, and maintain inter-state harmony.

Conclusion

The Telangana government’s decision to file a fresh petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka’s plan to raise the Almatti Dam height represents a critical juncture in the long-running dispute over Krishna River waters. It underscores the state’s commitment to protecting irrigation, agriculture, and livelihoods, while also highlighting the broader complexities of water management in India’s inter-state river systems.

As the apex court considers Telangana’s application, stakeholders across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Telangana will be closely monitoring developments. The resolution of this dispute will have far-reaching implications, not just for the states involved but also for the governance of shared water resources in India. The case reaffirms that in matters of water, legal authority, political will, and technical expertise must converge to ensure fair, sustainable, and equitable outcomes for all riparian states.

With the new petition, Telangana is positioning itself to safeguard its interests, asserting the principle that downstream water rights cannot be compromised in the pursuit of unilateral infrastructure expansion. The outcome of this legal battle will likely set a precedent for how future inter-state water disputes are adjudicated in India, balancing developmental aspirations with the imperatives of equity, sustainability, and inter-state cooperation.