Hyderabad/New Delhi, January 13, 2026 – In a firm and strategic escalation of the long-standing inter-state water dispute over the Godavari River, the Telangana government has decided to withdraw its writ petition and instead file a comprehensive civil suit in the Supreme Court challenging Andhra Pradesh’s proposed Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar Link Project (PNLP). This move follows explicit guidance from a bench led by the Chief Justice of India during hearings on January 5 and January 12, 2026, which deemed the original writ petition prima facie not maintainable and better suited for adjudication through a civil suit under Article 131 of the Constitution.
The project, aimed at diverting floodwaters from the Polavaram reservoir on the Godavari to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region via Nallamala Sagar, has sparked intense opposition from Telangana. The state argues that any such diversion could violate the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) Award of 1980, which allocates Andhra Pradesh only 484.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, and encroach on Telangana’s equitable share.Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, who was present in New Delhi along with senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, described the decision as a proactive and resolute step to protect every drop of Telangana’s rightful entitlements.
Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Reddy stated: “We are not backing down. We are advancing with full force. This is about justice for our farmers and future generations. We will contest this in every available forum.”The Supreme Court emphasized that the matter involves complex inter-state implications, including the interests of other riparian states like Maharashtra and Karnataka, making a civil suit the appropriate format for thorough evidence examination and broader arguments.Telangana’s legal team promptly informed the bench of its intent to follow the court’s advice, leading to the withdrawal of the writ petition (filed on December 16, 2025, and initially heard on January 5) and the initiation of preparations for the new suit before the same judicial panel.
Andhra Pradesh, on the other hand, has defended the project as a means to harness surplus Godavari waters—estimated at around 3,000 TMC annually flowing into the sea—utilizing only about 200 TMC without harming upstream states. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu have asserted that the initiative will benefit both Telugu states in the long run, with potential for surplus water sharing post-completion.This development underscores the deepening rift over Godavari water resources post-bifurcation, with Telangana vowing a no-holds-barred legal battle to safeguard its interests.
The civil suit is expected to allow for detailed scrutiny of allocations, project designs, and compliance with inter-state agreements, potentially setting a precedent for future riparian disputes.The Telangana government remains committed to defending its water rights vigorously, signaling that the fight for equitable Godavari resources is far from over. Further updates on the filing of the civil suit are awaited.
