The Telangana government is gearing up for a legal battle against two major projects being undertaken by neighbouring states Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Telangana has decided to approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Polavaram–Banakacharla linkage project proposed by Andhra Pradesh and to stop Karnataka’s move to raise the height of the Almatti dam. Officials are preparing to take separate legal actions on both issues.

The government plans to file an Interlocutory Application (IA) in the Supreme Court against Karnataka’s proposal to increase the height of the Almatti project. Although the Brijesh Kumar Tribunal permitted Karnataka to raise the dam height to 524.256 meters, the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra governments challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, which imposed a stay. Despite the ongoing case, Karnataka recently sanctioned ₹70,000 crore in September for rehabilitation of areas likely to be submerged, prompting Telangana to file a fresh IA to halt further action.

Meanwhile, Telangana also plans to challenge Andhra Pradesh’s Polavaram–Banakacharla linkage project in the Supreme Court. Several states, including Telangana, along with the Central Water Commission (CWC) and environmental experts, have raised serious objections to the project. The central agencies have advised Andhra Pradesh not to proceed without proper interstate and environmental clearances. Despite this, Andhra Pradesh has invited tenders for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR). With no intervention from the Centre, Telangana is determined to stop the project through the Supreme Court.

However, some water resource experts have expressed concern that taking the issue to the Supreme Court might indirectly legitimise the project. They argue that if the court admits the case, Telangana might lose the opportunity to oppose it in other legal or administrative forums.