Krishna Water Sharing: Andhra Pradesh Seeks Continuation of 66:34 Formula

Why in News?

• Andhra Pradesh has proposed continuing the 66:34 Krishna water-sharing formula between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana until July 2027. Telangana has demanded an equal 50:50 share. Only about 100 TMC-ft of water reportedly remains available in the Krishna basin due to reduced rainfall and limited inflows.

Background of Krishna Water Sharing

Constitutional and Institutional Framework

• Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide for the adjudication of inter-State river-water disputes.
• The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 provides for the establishment of water-disputes tribunals.
• The Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) was established under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 to manage specified Krishna basin projects and regulate water supplies between the two States.

Earlier Allocations

• The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-I assessed the share of undivided Andhra Pradesh at 811 TMC-ft in 1976.
• Following State bifurcation, the report states that the working allocation in 2015 was:
  • Andhra Pradesh: 512 TMC-ft
  • Telangana: 299 TMC-ft
• A separate operational sharing formula of 66:34, initially adopted as a one-year interim arrangement, has reportedly continued for about 12 years.
• During this period, the Krishna basin recorded:
  • Eight surplus years
  • Four deficit years

Current Water Availability

• Due to the reported influence of El Niño and reduced rainfall, approximately 212 TMC-ft entered the Krishna basin during the present season.
• After withdrawals for irrigation and drinking-water requirements, only about 100 TMC-ft remains available.
• Further availability will depend on rainfall and inflows from the river’s upper catchment areas.

TMC-ft means thousand million cubic feet. One TMC-ft is equal to one billion cubic feet or approximately 28.32 million cubic metres.

Positions of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Andhra Pradesh’s Position

Andhra Pradesh wants:

• continuation of the 66:34 formula until July 2027;
• both States to remain within their allotted shares;
• the remaining water to be protected mainly for drinking purposes; and
• the prevention of unauthorised diversion from canals.

Andhra Pradesh has alleged that Telangana drew water beyond its share during the current season. This remains the claim of the Andhra Pradesh government.

Telangana’s Position

• Telangana is demanding that the available Krishna water be divided in a 50:50 ratio.
• The difference between the two demands has prevented the States from agreeing on an operational sharing arrangement.

Priority Use of Remaining Water

At a meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, it was estimated that nearly 100 TMC-ft remained available.

Given the shortage, the water is expected to be prioritised for:

• drinking-water requirements;
• livestock needs;
• filling drinking-water tanks; and
• maintaining summer storage reservoirs.

The use of the remaining water for raising crops has effectively been ruled out under the prevailing conditions.

Conclusion

Krishna water sharing is not merely an allocation dispute; it concerns drinking-water security, agriculture, hydropower and inter-State relations. A transparent distress-sharing mechanism based on verified data is essential. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana must move from competing claims towards joint basin management. Cooperative federalism and climate-resilient water governance offer the only sustainable solution.