Hyderabad: Irrigation minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy has urged the Centre to immediately reject the pre-feasibility report (PFR) of the Godavari–Banakacherla link project proposed by the Andhra Pradesh govt. He also demanded the stoppage of the detailed project report (DPR) and a halt to any tendering process related to the scheme.In a letter to Union jal shakti minister CR Patil, Uttam asserted that the Centre’s move to entertain AP’s DPR violates the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980 and the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and endangers Telangana’s rightful share of river waters.“The project is a direct assault on Telangana’s legal entitlements and violates interstate water-sharing protocols. Allowing such a project would undermine the equitable and judicious management of interstate river waters and sets a dangerous precedent against the principles of equity and natural justice,” Uttam said. He flagged developments from a June 2 meeting chaired by Union finance ministry official Sajjan Yadav, where the AP govt was reportedly asked to submit the DPR. “This implies that the project is deemed approved. But how can the Centre ask for a DPR without first approving the PFR?” he questioned.He argued that any such move would be procedurally flawed, as DPRs must follow a PFR vetted by the Central Water Commission. Skipping this step would undermine the regulatory framework governing inter-state river projects, he said.He also dismissed criticism that the Congress govt in Telangana had been slow to respond. “When the AP chief minister sought funds from the Centre, I formally objected on Jan 22. Again on June 13, I reiterated our opposition to the PFR, DPR, and tender process. Telangana Congress acted from day one,” he said.
