Bhubaneswar Jul 21 : The conflict between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh over the distribution of water from the Vamsadhara river is said to have started in February 2006, when Odisha filed a complaint to the Central Government for the construction of a canal which is called a flooded canal at Katragada, Andhra Pradesh taking off from the river Vamsadhara. Later this canal would result in dryingup theexisting river bed and consequent shifting of the river affectingthegroundwater table. The river Vamsadhara originates in the border of Thuamul Rampur in the Kalahandi district and Kalyansinghpur in Rayagada district of Odisha and runs for a distance of about 254 kilometers, where it joins the Bay of Bengal at Kalingapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The important minerals found in the Vamsadhara basin are manganese, graphite, quartz, limestone, mica and bauxite besides building materials. Manganese ore is available extensively in Srikakulam and Koraput districts. There is no large-scale industry in the basin but there are a number of agro and forest-based small-scale industries in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh and Koraput & Kalahandi district of Orissa.
Agreements between the states
Several meetings were held between the officials, including the Chief Ministers of the two States, and Agreements were signed pertaining to the allocation of water of the Neradi Barrage. On 30th December 1994, a meeting was held between the Chief Ministers of the two States and it was decided that all the available water would be shared between the two States on a 50:50 basis annually. The discussions relating to the distribution of water from the Neradi Barrage were recorded.
Hydrology data available in the Central Water Commission (C.W.C) Water year Book up to 1992 was studied by the Orissa Engineers. Based on this analysis it is found that in Vansadhara basin approximately 76.47 TMC water is available in monsoon. During non-monsoon months the yield may approximately be 7 TMC. All the available water will be shared between the two States on 50:50 basis annually. The above figure regarding water availability would be updated from time to time on the basis of additional data as and when available. No area in Orissa will be submerged as a result of construction of the proposed Neradi Barrage, except 106 acres of land to be acquired in Orissa 5 State for various purposes as indicated in the Project Report.
Why Odisha filed a complaint?
Andhra Pradeshwantsto build the Neradi bridge across the Vamsadhara River. But this will be possible only after Odisha’s consent. The flood flow canal (at Katragada, Andhra Pradesh) taking off from the river Vamsadhara, would result in drying up the existing river bed and consequent shifting of the river affecting the groundwater table. It also raised the issue of scientific assessment of available water in Vamsadhara at Katragada and Gotta Barrage, Andhra Pradesh and the basis for sharing the available water. This was the reason which forced Odisha govt. to take steps for the future.
In February 2006, Odisha sent a complaint to the Central Government under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956 regarding its water disputes with Andhra Pradesh pertaining to Inter-State River Vamsadhara. It demanded for the constitution of an Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal for adjudication. As per the provision of ISRWD Act, 1956, when any request under Section 3 is received from any State Government in respect of any water dispute and the Central Government is of opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central government shall, within a period of not exceeding one year from the date of receipt of such request, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Water Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of the water dispute.
Supreme Court’s Notice
The Supreme Court issued notice in the special leave petition filed by the State of Odisha against the final order dated September 13, 2017 passed by the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal wherein the tribunal had allowed the Andhra Pradesh government to construct Neradi Barrage on river Vansadhara.
The tribunal decided that Andhra Pradesh can construct the Neradi barrage along with the ancillary structures. The 115 TMC ft. water of the river was instructed to be divided in equal proportions between the two states.