The Telugu Ganga Project is back in the news as Tamil Nadu sought more Krishna water for Chennai from Andhra Pradesh. This note explains the Telugu Ganga Project, the water-sharing deal and the river-linking links for prelims.
Why in News?
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to seek additional drinking water for Chennai.
Against an entitlement of 15 TMC a year, Chennai had received only about 2.25 TMC due to low reservoir storage.
Both leaders also discussed the Godavari–Cauvery river-linking project as a long-term solution.
Telugu Ganga Project: Key Facts for Prelims
- Also called the Krishna Water Supply Project; an inter-state water transfer scheme started in the late 1970s–1980s.
- Aim 1: supply 15 TMC of drinking water a year to Chennai.
- Aim 2: irrigate about 5.75 lakh acres in drought-prone Rayalaseema (Kurnool, Kadapa, Chittoor) and the uplands of Nellore.
- Sources: flood flows of the Krishna and the Pennar (Penna) rivers.
- Sharing formula: the three Krishna riparian states – Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh – each spare 5 TMC, totalling 15 TMC for Chennai.
- Tamil Nadu is a non-riparian state of the Krishna – the scheme is a rare example of inter-basin sharing for a non-riparian city.
Route of Krishna water to Chennai
- Srisailam reservoir → Pothireddypadu head regulator → Srisailam Right Main Canal → Somasila (on the Pennar) → Kandaleru reservoir → Kandaleru–Poondi canal → Poondi reservoir in Tamil Nadu.
- Transit losses mean Chennai typically receives less at the inter-state border than the 15 TMC released.
River-linking and dispute links
- Godavari–Cauvery link is part of the Peninsular component of the National River Linking Project prepared by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA, 1982); it routes Godavari surplus via the Krishna and Pennar to the Cauvery.
- Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 govern water disputes; the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal allocates Krishna waters.
- Krishna rises near Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra); Pennar rises in the Nandi Hills (Karnataka).
- Water is a State List subject (Entry 17), subject to Union List Entry 56 on inter-state rivers.
Quick Revision Table: Telugu Ganga Project
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project | Telugu Ganga (Krishna Water Supply) Project |
| Chennai’s entitlement | 15 TMC a year |
| Supplied so far this year | About 2.25 TMC |
| Contributing states | Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP – 5 TMC each |
| Rivers used | Krishna and Pennar |
| Irrigation in AP | About 5.75 lakh acres (Rayalaseema, Nellore uplands) |
| Key reservoirs | Srisailam, Somasila, Kandaleru, Poondi |
| Long-term plan | Godavari–Cauvery link |
Trap / Confusing Points: Telugu Ganga Project
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu is a Krishna riparian state | No – it is non-riparian; the 15 TMC is spared by the three riparian states |
| Only Andhra Pradesh gives water to Chennai | No – Maharashtra, Karnataka and AP give 5 TMC each |
| The project uses Godavari water | No – Krishna and Pennar flood flows; Godavari link is only proposed |
| Water is on the Concurrent List | No – State List Entry 17, subject to Union List Entry 56 |
5 Practice MCQs on Telugu Ganga Project
1. The Telugu Ganga Project primarily supplies drinking water to:
a. Bengaluru
b. Hyderabad
c. Chennai
d. Tirupati
Ans: C
Explanation: It carries Krishna water to Chennai.
2. How much water is Chennai entitled to receive annually under the Telugu Ganga Project?
a. 5 TMC
b. 12 TMC
c. 15 TMC
d. 25 TMC
Ans: C
Explanation: Three riparian states spare 5 TMC each for a total of 15 TMC.
3. Which of the following states is NOT a contributor of water to Chennai under the scheme?
a. Maharashtra
b. Karnataka
c. Andhra Pradesh
d. Kerala
Ans: D
Explanation: Kerala is not in the Krishna basin; the three contributing states are Maharashtra, Karnataka and AP.
4. Which reservoir in Tamil Nadu receives Telugu Ganga water?
a. Mettur
b. Poondi
c. Vaigai
d. Bhavanisagar
Ans: B
Explanation: The Kandaleru–Poondi canal delivers water to Poondi reservoir.
5. Inter-state river water disputes are addressed under which Article?
a. Article 246
b. Article 262
c. Article 263
d. Article 280
Ans: B
Explanation: Article 262 lets Parliament provide for adjudication of water disputes.
Exam tip: Remember the Telugu Ganga Project through ‘3 states x 5 TMC = 15 TMC’ and its route Srisailam–Somasila–Kandaleru–Poondi.
To learn current affairs from exam point of view, Click here.
To know more about the Telugu Ganga water talks, Click here.
