Mulugu (Telangana), February 22 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy said on Sunday that all the projects proposed between the Tummidihatti barrage and Bhadrachalam on the Godavari river would be completed.
He asserted that the state government was ready to resolve inter-state water disputes through dialogue. If talks fail, the government would approach the courts to safeguard the state's interests in the utilization of the Krishna and Godavari rivers, an official release said.
The Chief Minister, who reviewed the progress of the Devadula project with irrigation officials here, said, "We will release the funds immediately and complete the project, for which estimates have already been increased from Rs 6,000 crore to Rs 18,500 crore."
Reddy further said his government would not abandon the Kaleshwaram project. "We will bring Kaleshwaram back into use," he said.
Noting that the dispute over Godavari river water had taken a political turn, the Chief Minister reiterated that the state government was open to discussions with neighboring states on water sharing issues. "If it is not resolved through discussions, we are ready to approach the courts. We are not hesitating for discussions with neighboring states," he said.
He criticized the previous BRS government for "failing" to complete the Pranahita, SRSP, and Devadula projects during its 10-year rule.
Telangana would have utilized 967 TMC of water if the previous BRS government had completed these projects with available funds and water resources, he said.
Reddy said that the government had already held a debate on river Krishna water issues in the Assembly and now, the government is ready for a debate on Godavari water in the Assembly, the release added.