The Godavari-Krishana-Penna river linking project does not have be requisite clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). This application was taken up before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on August 13, 2019.

The Tribunal had asked for a report from the State Pollution Control Board and MoEF&CC. The report had said that Environmental Clearance (EC) was required as per the EIA notification 2006 and consent to establish was required under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981. Through its order of May 30, 2019 the Tribunal had asked Andhra Pradesh not to proceed further till EC, consent to establish and consent to operate has been granted. Further, an inspection report of the project was submitted by the MoEF&CC and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to the NGT which mentioned that the Expert Appraisal Committee has deferred its deliberations in the application for grant of EC and that the "Godavari-Krishna-Penna Rivers linking project is presently at proposal stage."

The NGT disposed of the application keeping in mind the recommendation of the joint Committee.