New Delhi:
The 43-year-old dispute on how to divide the surplus water from the River Krishna has been resolved. Karnataka will get more water than what was allocated earlier, while Andhra Pradesh gets the maximum share of surplus water.
The Justice Brijesh Kumar Tribunal made the decision on how to divide the surplus water. Andhra Pradesh now gets 1000 TMC of surplus water, Karnataka gets 911 TMC and Maharashtra will get 666 TMC.
Even though Andhra Pradesh has the biggest share, its wings have been clipped in a way that the allotted share is much less than what it was getting all these years unofficially.
Based on that, irrigation projects were planned on River Krishna on which approximately Rs 35000 crore has been spent.
The positive side though is that Andhra now has the rights over the water, while earlier the 330 TMC share was unofficial.
However, its neighbour Karnataka is celebrating. Apart from the assigned share, the Tribunal has also not objected to the increased height of the state's ambitious Almatti Dam project in north Karnataka which was a prime bone of contention between Karnataka and its neighbouring states.
"It is a great day and historic day for Karnataka. Under A and B schemes the state has been allocated 911 tmc ft of water. The government will do its best to utilise the water," said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
Steps would be taken soon to raise the height of the Almatti dam, Yedyurappa said and added "everything is ready."
Speaking to reporters earlier, Law Minister Suresh Kumar said the tribunal order has fulfilled the major demand of the state to increase the height of the Almatti Dam.
"Justice Brijesh Kumar has responded to our long felt demand", said Kumar.
Describing the award as a "new year gift" to the people of the state, Suresh Kumar said the state will have no difficulty in honouring the tribunal order to release 8-10 tmc ft to Andhra Pradesh during June-July every year.
The Justice Brijesh Kumar Tribunal was set up six years ago after new claims were filed for River Krishna water by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The tribunal verdict can be reviewed only after May 2050.