New Delhi, 23 Sept

Telangana has sought 70 per cent share of the Krishna river water earlier allocated to the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh, with Telangana Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy saying that the state's claim was built on "rational and internationally accepted parameters".

The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) on Tuesday heard Telangana's arguments on sharing Krishna river waters between the two Telugu states.

"Whether Karnataka has a Congress government, Andhra Pradesh a TDP government or Maharashtra a BJP government, Telangana will fight uncompromisingly for its fair share. Not a single drop of Telangana's rightful water will be given up," Reddy said.

He opposed State’s proposal to increase the height of the Almatti Dam, warning that it would directly harm Telangana's interests. He said Telangana would approach the Supreme Court to challenge the proposal.

"Our government's stand is very clear, Telangana will not permit any action that reduces its share. We will approach the Supreme Court to ensure Karnataka is not allowed to raise the Almatti height," he stated.

The Krishna river is the fourth-largest river system in India by water reservoir capacity and flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.