Lokesh Vows to Protect Rayalaseema Water Rights
Andhra Pradesh IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh has taken a firm stand on the ongoing water dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Lokesh dismissed claims that the state is infringing on the water shares of its neighbor. He asserted that all irrigation projects currently being executed by the NDA coalition government are located strictly within the borders of Andhra Pradesh.
Lokesh explained that the government’s primary goal is to lift surplus floodwater from the Godavari River once it enters the state. This water, which otherwise flows wastefully into the sea, is being diverted to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region. He highlighted that thousands of TMCs of water are lost every year, and utilizing this resource is essential for the survival of farmers in dry areas.
The Minister criticized the opposition YSRCP for trying to turn a matter of public welfare into a political conflict. He pointed out that the current legal stay on the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project was actually imposed in 2020 during the previous government’s tenure. He accused YSRCP leaders of spreading misinformation to create friction between the two Telugu states.
Addressing concerns from Telangana, Lokesh clarified that Andhra Pradesh has no intention of obstructing any projects in the neighboring state. Instead, he argued that diverting surplus water through the Telugu Ganga project could benefit the entire South Indian region, including Tamil Nadu. He emphasized that the state would fight legally and technically to ensure the region receives its rightful share of water.
