Tensions flared at the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam project, an interstate irrigation endeavor shared between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, on the brink of the polling day in Telangana. The situation escalated as Andhra Pradesh deployed a significant number of police personnel in the early hours of the night to seize control of a portion of the project.
A confrontation ensued between the police units representing AP and Telangana, leading to heated arguments. The Congress party alleged that the BRS was deliberately inciting Telangana sentiment in collaboration with the ruling YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh. Vikas Raj, Chief Electoral Officer, assured that the police would investigate the matter, labeling the political comments as hasty.
Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Congress candidate from Nalgonda, accused the BRS of intentionally stoking emotions on polling day by invoking the ‘Andhra-Telangana’ sentiment. State president A Revanth Reddy echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for the CEO’s intervention, suggesting that if not resolved promptly, their government, if elected on December 9, would tackle the issue through dialogue.
Reddy criticized KCR, the outgoing chief minister, citing failures in addressing Telangana’s issues, alleging a self-interest-focused tenure.
The flashpoint occurred overnight on November 29-30 when Andhra Pradesh deployed approximately 500 reserve police personnel to dismantle barricades and CCTVs installed by Telangana. Subsequently, AP irrigation authorities cordoned their portion of the project with barbed wire to regulate operations from gates 14 to 26.
Efforts by DSP Miryalaguda P Venkatgiri to negotiate with AP police to remove the fencing yielded no resolution.
The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam comprises two sections along the River Krishna at the state border. While Srisailam dam lies upstream, the Nagarjuna Sagar dam is downstream. The control of the Nagarjuna Sagar Left canal is divided into three zones, with Zone 1 under Telangana, Zone 3 under Andhra Pradesh, and Zone 2 overlapping between the two.
While the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) mandates Telangana’s control over the Nagarjuna Sagar Right canal, Andhra Pradesh has persistently claimed authority over half the project. This marks the third heated altercation involving police personnel from both states concerning the dam project.
