KCR Announces Mass Movement to Defend Telangana’s Water Rights

BRS president and former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has announced a statewide mass movement to protect Telangana’s water rights, accusing the Congress government, the BJP-led Centre, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of betraying the state’s interests. Declaring that silence was no longer an option, KCR said the fight to safeguard Telangana’s rightful water share had begun.

Addressing the media after a marathon meeting at Telangana Bhavan, KCR said public meetings would be held across Mahabubnagar, Rangareddy, and Nalgonda districts to mobilise farmers, civil society groups, and cultural activists. He said a detailed action plan would be announced shortly.

KCR described the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) as a lifeline project that had been deliberately sabotaged. He recalled how the Palamuru region remained neglected despite the Krishna River flowing through it, forcing generations to migrate due to chronic drought.

Highlighting historical injustices, he said large portions of Krishna water were denied to the region during the undivided Andhra Pradesh era. Even projects like Jurala, though sanctioned decades ago, remained incomplete until the Telangana movement gained momentum.

KCR stated that after statehood, the BRS government revived stalled irrigation projects, benefiting nearly eight lakh acres. He said PRLIS, designed to draw 173 TMCft of water, was crucial for ending drinking water scarcity and irrigation distress. Despite spending ₹27,000 crore and completing nearly 90 per cent of the work, the project faced hurdles due to political interference.

Accusing the Centre of returning the project’s DPR under pressure, KCR questioned why Telangana should settle for less than its rightful water share. He vowed an uncompromising fight, asserting that Telangana’s interests would always remain paramount.