The Supreme Court issued an important order in the Polavaram-Nallamala Sagar issue. The court objected to hearing the writ petition filed by the Telangana government questioning the proposed link project.
The Apex Court said the Telangana government's petition had no legal basis for a writ hearing. It clarified that disputes related to inter-state water sharing must be filed as a civil suit under Article 131, not as a writ under Article 32.
The court also noted that petitions involving Maharashtra and Karnataka were still pending. Following this observation, the Telangana government withdrew its writ petition and said it would file a civil suit instead.
The Supreme Court added that such disputes should ideally be resolved through a high-level committee formed by the Central government or via mediation. It maintained that all concerned states must be part of the legal process.
Telangana's counsel argued that the Andhra Pradesh government prepared a DPR without consent, affecting Telangana's water rights. The court stressed that since Godavari River waters involve multiple states, all must be included as defendants.
The Telangana government alleged that Andhra Pradesh was expanding beyond the approved Polavaram Project by building a link project at Nallamala Sagar. It also claimed the Centre considered the pre-feasibility report.
Telangana sought directions to the Jalashakti Ministry, Central jalsangh, and the Godavari River Water Management Board to stop further steps. In response, the Andhra Pradesh government stated it was only utilising excess flood waters.