The Andhra Pradesh government has renewed its call for the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) headquarters to be shifted from Hyderabad to Andhra Pradesh, citing the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. In a letter dated February 11, the state government formally requested the KRMB to relocate its headquarters to Amaravati, which is proposed as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The KRMB is an autonomous body established under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act to manage and regulate the waters of the Krishna River basin in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Krishna River, originating in Maharashtra and flowing through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, is the third largest river in India. The river basin spans a vast area of approximately 258,948 square kilometers across these states.
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act bifurcated the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, containing provisions regarding water resource management. One such provision stipulates that the headquarters of the KRMB shall be located in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh.
Despite this provision, the KRMB headquarters has remained in Hyderabad since its inception. The Andhra Pradesh government has now cited this section to advocate for relocation. The letter also references a decision made during the second Apex Council meeting held on October 6, 2020, which stated that the headquarters of KRMB should be shifted to Andhra Pradesh immediately. This issue was further discussed in the 19th meeting of the KRMB held on January 21, 2025.
The government of Andhra Pradesh has proposed Amaravati as the new location for the KRMB headquarters and has pledged to provide all necessary assistance for this relocation.
The delay in shifting the KRMB headquarters highlights complex and often contentious issues arising from the reorganization of Andhra Pradesh. Water sharing, asset allocation, and key institutional locations have been points of friction between both states.
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal was initially established in 1969 to resolve water disputes among Maharashtra, Karnataka, and what was then Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act extended this tribunal’s terms to make specific allocations and determine operational protocols for water release in deficit flow situations.
The jurisdiction of the KRMB was officially notified by the central government in 2021 after nearly seven years from its constitution. Since 2015, water available in the Krishna basin has been shared between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in a ratio of 512:299 based on an understanding between both states.
As Andhra Pradesh aims to establish Amaravati as its administrative capital, discussions about relocating the KRMB headquarters have gained prominence. The Telangana government has claimed a neutral stance on this shift while pledging its commitment to assist with relocation efforts. The issue remains sensitive, intertwined with broader questions about resource allocation and state reorganization.
This situation underscores ongoing challenges related to implementing the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and highlights the need for continued dialogue and cooperation between both states to ensure equitable and sustainable water management in the Krishna River basin.
