Overview
- Telangana withdrew its petition after Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi termed it prima facie not maintainable and granted liberty to file a state-to-state suit.
- Telangana contends Andhra Pradesh’s plan would divert up to 200 TMC, exceeding the 80 TMC permitted under the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award, and lacks Central Water Commission approvals.
- Andhra Pradesh maintains it seeks to use surplus Godavari floodwater without hurting other states, has submitted a feasibility report, floated DPR tenders as preparatory steps, and will proceed only after statutory clearances.
- Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, respectively, as the court emphasized inclusion of all affected basin states in the next proceeding.
- Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reiterated a June 2027 completion target for Polavaram and said surplus water could also be supplied to Telangana once operational.