Tamil NaduWednesday, 14 October 2026·The Hindu - National
Tamil Nadu seeks more Krishna water for Chennai; 1983 pact and 4.08 TMC release in focus
Tamil Nadu CM C. Joseph Vijay sought additional Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh for Chennai, while AP cited reservoir availability and said it had already released 4.08 TMC.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On Tuesday in Vijayawada, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and sought more Krishna water for Chennai, after Andhra Pradesh said it had already released 4.08 TMC and would consider any further release based on reservoir availability.
Key specifics
- The 1983 inter-State agreement provides for 15 TMC of Krishna water annually at the Tamil Nadu border for Chennai’s drinking water needs.
- Andhra Pradesh said it had already released 4.08 TMC of water to Chennai before the Vijayawada meeting.
- The Telugu Ganga project was specifically mentioned as the route for additional drinking water supply to Chennai.
- Water scarcity was linked to the El Niño effect and low storage in the Somasila and Kandaleru projects.
- A partial release of up to 5 TMC was described as a possible compromise, subject to final government decision.
Exam lens
Polity and inter-State water dispute question type, 1983 agreement, 15 TMC annual entitlement, 4.08 TMC already released, Telugu Ganga project, Somasila-Kandaleru reservoirs; TNPSC may ask which river-link or agreement is associated with Chennai’s drinking water.